First Report - The future of the planning system in England

Select Committee

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee HC 38 10 June 2021

Report Status Government responded

Conclusions & Recommendations 33 items (32 recs)

Source View on Parliament website

Government Response (AI assessment · 33 of 33 classified)

Accepted 15

Accepted in Part 7

Acknowledged 4

Deferred 2

Not Addressed 2

Rejected 3

Government response

The Future of the Planning System in England: Government Response to the Select Committee Report · published 17 May 2022

Read the government response ↗ Response on the tracker

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 results

1 Recommendation Accepted in Part

We are concerned about the lack of detail in respect of the proposed reforms to...

Recommendation

We are concerned about the lack of detail in respect of the proposed reforms to the planning system, which has made it very difficult to assess the possible practical implications of many of the reforms. The Government should consult on … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees on the need for significant engagement and notes past consultations led to revised plans. However, they opted to bring legislation forward without a draft bill or pre-legislative scrutiny, instead committing to engage the Committee on subsequent regulations.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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3 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 33

If after reconsideration the Government does continue with the three areas approach, we recommend that...

Recommendation

If after reconsideration the Government does continue with the three areas approach, we recommend that as a minimum: • The Government should clearly explain how Local Plans will impose requirements on developments in an area. At present it appears to … Read more If after reconsideration the Government does continue with the three areas approach, we recommend that as a minimum: • The Government should clearly explain how Local Plans will impose requirements on developments in an area. At present it appears to be proposing the current planning application system will continue to be available in growth and renewal areas for proposals that would not conform to the local plan requirements. The Government should set out what level of detail will be needed in the Local Plans to ensure that developers and other stakeholders have certainty as to whether prospective developments would be permitted. • Local authorities should set out detailed plans for growth and renewal areas which specify heights of buildings, density of development, minimum parking standards, access to retail, education, transport, health facilities and other local amenities. This may be by way of a planning brief for particular sites, which may be undertaken subsequent to the local planning process and which is subjected to detailed consultation with local people. Developers that propose developments in accordance with such planning briefs would then be invited to undertake such developments. In all such areas, local authorities must be enabled to prevent 100 The future of the planning system in England overdevelopment, particularly in areas of existing housing such as suburban settings. Any proposal deviating from the standards proposed at a local level would otherwise be subjected to the current full planning application process. • The Government should consider the proposals for sub-areas within the ‘renewal area’, where permission in principle would not apply and individual planning permission would be required. • The Government should implement a ‘highly protected’ alongside a ‘protected’ area category. This would enable strong protections for areas that local authorities think need such a shield against development, whilst ensuring development can still happ Show less

Government Response Summary

The government agrees that the relationship between plans and national policy should be clear, stating the Bill will give local plans more weight and introduce National Development Management Policies. They also mention a new requirement for infrastructure providers to assist local authorities with plan drafting.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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18 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 129

It is our view is that the pace of completing planning permissions is too slow,...

Recommendation

It is our view is that the pace of completing planning permissions is too slow, and that carrots and sticks are needed to quicken the pace. The Government should produce a strategy for increasing the extent of multi-tenure construction on … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government acknowledges the need for diversification on large sites and support for SMEs, citing existing loan funds. It addresses slow build rates by stating the Bill will introduce stronger tools for local authorities, including Development Commencement Notices and streamlined completion notices that can lead to loss of planning permission if deadlines are missed, but does not adopt the specific time limits or council tax penalty recommended.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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20 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 139

We heard concerns about the Government’s First Homes programme, especially its potential impact on the...

Recommendation

We heard concerns about the Government’s First Homes programme, especially its potential impact on the provision of other forms of affordable housing. First Homes has an important part to play in delivering homeownership, and we hope that the Government has … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government states First Homes are already available at pilot sites and expects them to ramp up over the next few years, partially addressing the timetable. However, while local authorities retain discretion for overall affordable housing need, the policy mandates First Homes account for at least 25% of units, limiting discretion on proportion.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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23 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 154

We were disappointed that very little progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of...

Recommendation

We were disappointed that very little progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of our predecessor committee’s report into land value capture. The Government’s response to our social housing report did not engage with our renewed recommendations about reforming … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government has considered previous land value capture recommendations and proposes a new Infrastructure Levy, developed based on consultations, to reform developer contributions and retain Section 106 agreements in limited circumstances.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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26 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 185

There is a clear need for additional resources for local planning authorities and this was...

Recommendation

There is a clear need for additional resources for local planning authorities and this was reflected in evidence from a wide range of sectors. The reduction in their funding is slowing down the workings of the planning system. The Government’s … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government does not commit to the requested £500 million additional funding for local planning authorities, instead highlighting an existing £65 million investment for digital improvements and proposing to increase planning fees by 25-35% to enhance resourcing.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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31 Recommendation Accepted in Part

Para 223

There is a case for improving our knowledge of where there are possible historical sites...

Recommendation

There is a case for improving our knowledge of where there are possible historical sites and for further protections for specific sites and currently undesignated locations. The Historic Environment Records dataset should be put on a statutory basis. The Government … Read more

Government Response Summary

The government agrees to put Historic Environment Records on a statutory basis, with provisions in the Bill. It also states the Bill will align legislative protection for key designated heritage assets, but the response does not explicitly commit to publishing a broad impact assessment of proposed changes on historic buildings and sites.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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