The future of the planning system in England

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 8 Oct 2020 Closed: 17 May 2022 Parliament page
In a White Paper, the Government has set out significant changes to streamline the planning system. Proposals include simplified designations for land usage, including automatic permission in principle for development in some areas, greater use of digital technology in the planning process and a National Design Guide to ensure “high … Read more
32 Recommendations
1 Conclusion
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
2 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
17 May
2022
Report published
10 Jun
2021
Report published
7 Dec
2020
Oral evidence
23 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
10 Nov
2020
Correspondence
9 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
8 Oct
2020
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
7 Dec 2020
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Oral evidence
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Claire Dutch · Ashurst LLP Ingrid Samuel · National Trust Nigel Wilson · Homes for the North Paula Hewitt · ADEPT Philip Waddy · Royal Institute of British Architects Richard Blyth · Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Steve Quartermain Tony Mulhall · The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
9 Nov 2020
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Oral evidence
Andrew Longley · North Northamptonshire Joint Planning and Delivery Unit Brian Berry · Federation of Master Builders Kate Henderson · National Housing Federation Lisa Fairmaner · Greater London Authority Philip Barnes · Barratt Developments
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - The future of the planning system in England HC 38 10 Jun 2021 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
10 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - The future of the p…
The Government must commission research about the extent of public involvement in the planning system.
The Government must commission research about the extent of public involvement in the planning system. This should precede the collection from local authorities and publishing of statistics about public involvement in Local Plans and in individual 102 The future of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of understanding public involvement and notes existing research has informed policy work. They plan to consult on future planning practice guidance, but do not commit to commissioning new research before statistics collection.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - The future of the p…
We support the principle of using a standard method that applies across the country.
We support the principle of using a standard method that applies across the country. We recognise there has been criticism of the current standard method for not promoting levelling up by reducing the targets for future homes below the numbers … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomed the committee's support for a standard method and acknowledged ongoing representations regarding its effectiveness. It stated that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will require a new National Planning Policy Framework, and it intends to publish a prospectus outlining further policy thinking.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - The future of the p…
We echo the Public Accounts Committee’s calls for greater clarity on how the Government will...
We echo the Public Accounts Committee’s calls for greater clarity on how the Government will deliver its ambition for 300,000 housing units a year, and why this target was chosen. Our previous reports have endorsed the need for additional social … Read more
Government Response
The government reaffirms its ambition to deliver 300,000 homes per year, citing compelling evidence from a 2014 report and general consensus for the target. They highlight recent delivery figures but do not publish a detailed evidential basis or specific plan for achievement by tenure and location.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation Acknowledged
First Report - The future of the p…
We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing.
We support ensuring that the additional housing being built includes affordable and social housing. There should also be support and encouragement for local authorities to deliver specialist housing, particularly for elderly and people with disabilities. The Government should create a … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the need for specialist housing and refers to existing NPPF guidance for local authorities, but does not commit to a statutory obligation for identifying sites or creating a new C2R use class. It states it already publishes statistics on affordable housing supply, but does not commit to publishing specific net addition targets by tenure over ten years.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 32 classified
Accepted 15
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Total 32 recs + 1 conclusion
Correspondence 2 letters
10 Nov 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 3 October concerning the launch of the inquiry into the Future of the Planning System in England
Parliament page
8 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 8 October 2020 concerning the launch of the Committee's inquiry into the future of the planning system in England
Parliament page