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North East organisations welcome planning white paper

Various organisations in the North East yesterday returned their verdict on the Government’s Planning White Paper, which places economic development and productivity at the forefront of the new planning system. The White Paper builds on the Government commissioned Barker and Eddington Reviews of land use planning and transport and demonstrates how the Government is seeking to deal with the issues raised by those reviews.

The White Paper acknowledges that the planning system must pay greater heed to the needs of businesses and the wider economy as one of its most important objectives, with a fast, reliable and clear planning system – an essential component in developing a successful and dynamic economy.

Tom Warburton, One NorthEast Head of Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We hope that these changes will encourage people to see the planning system as a positive force for change which helps shape the communities in which we live and work, but to achieve this it is crucial that the planning system is properly resourced and that it is focused on dealing with critical issues and not drowning in detail.”

Liz Smith, Assistant Regional Director for CBI North East said: “The White Paper is a step in the right direction and could have a positive impact on the North East. In particular, business in the region will welcome the government’s acceptance of Kate Barkers’ recommendations to have local authorities give more weight to economic development through the planning system, rather than simply concentrating on development controls. This is very important if the North East is to fulfil its economic potential.”

EEF Northern Director, Alan Hall, said: “Decades of inertia and obstruction have left the UK with a second rate planning system. Government should be applauded for picking up the baton of the Barker report so quickly and signalling its intent to create a new system which better serves the needs of modern economy and supports economic growth. However, business will want to ensure that it is adequately represented on an independent Planning Commission.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .