Columnist

We need planning change – now

The Government has published – for consultation – Invest 2035, the plan it describes as the UK’s modern industrial strategy. 

It is being rolled out through devolution to combined authorities to prepare for the creation of growth plans. 

It has set a target of providing 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, with delivery focused on improving the planning process. 

The consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework has just ended. 

Improving the process and speeding decisions is only part of the answer, though.

Local planning authorities are required to provide a local plan that identifies the number, type and location of houses and commercial properties to be developed over five years. 

In my opinion, the assessment of need requires a link with the economic plan of the combined authority to ensure economic, as well as social needs, are met with a 20-year strategy for housing reviewed on a five-year rolling programme.

This marriage of social and economic need will encourage investment for both the start-up of much-needed SME housebuilders and for off-site construction manufacturing to innovate and speed up the construction of quality homes.

There are other factors that have slowed planning application decisions.

The National Planning Policy Framework introduces bringing brownfield land first for development, then ‘grey belt’ land. 

That is protected land in the green belt previously used but, for which, development is frustrated. 

The Government has offered to provide 300 more planners. 

There are nearly 300 local planning authorities.

The provision will help, but it won't solve the stress under which they work to approve plans quickly. 

Nearly 80 per cent of the democratically determined local plans, on which planning consents should be assessed, will be out of date by 2025. 

Where there is no local plan approved by the council, of which there are many, there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. 

This results in development that does not necessarily meet the needs and locations preferred by authorities.

Planning and development is high risk, time consuming and impacted by litigation, which exacerbates cost and timely delivery. 

Resolving disputes is essential to speed up the process, and greater use of mediation is required.

We need change to improve the economy and create jobs.

Kevan Carrick is co-founder and owner of JK Property Consultants LLP. He is a member of the RICS Land & Natural Resources Professional Group Panel that consulted on the National Planning Policy Framework, as well as a director of the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

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