Michael Gove finally debuted the much delayed National Planning Policy Framework, with responses ranging from lukewarm to unimpressed
In a speech at the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, Michael Gove, highlighted the role of planners in developing Britain’s communities, saying it is “a great pity that the skill and vision of our planning professionals have not always enjoyed the respect and status it deserves.”
Also stating that he was “strongly in favour of affordable and social housing,” Gove laid out key features of the NPPF:
- As we reported last week, housing targets will become advisory rather than mandatory, although Gove seemed confident that the Government is “on course” to reach targets numbers of new homes
- League tables measuring the performance of local planning authorities will be published, documenting the number of approvals, speed of delivery and responses and targets achieved, with the aim of increasing accountability.
Gove identified the planning authorities of St Albans, Amber Valley, Ashfield, Medway, Uttlesford, Basildon, and Castle Point as “seven of the worst authorities”, with Chorley and Fareham also on notice for further scrutiny.
Response to the Planning Skills Development Fund was positive, but questions remain about the effectiveness of removing housing targets
RICS welcomed the £29m Planning Skills Development Fund, with £14m provided to 180 local authorities and £13.5m allocated for a ‘super squad’ planning team, but said: “Nevertheless, we remain concerned around the acute lack of resources available to local authorities and the impact this will have on realising these LDPs. Local Authorities’ Planning Departments require full and proper resourcing to tackle backlogs, staff turnover and ensure a properly functioning enforcement apparatus.
“This urgently needs to be addressed to ensure that localised planning and development is efficient and works in the interests of local people.”
The RTPI had a similar view, commenting that “this support will not cover the backlog of local plans, which was rightly given prominence by the secretary of state and must be resolved quickly.”
The impact of local plan making on development was also questioned
Ian Fletcher, policy director, British Property Federation, said: “By changing how local authorities should assess housing need the Government is watering down its own national targets and creating more obstacles and delays to housing delivery.
“What is often overlooked is that if less land is allocated for housing, less land is likely to also be allocated for the commercial developments we need to create jobs and drive the economy. These changes could have far-reaching consequences and undermine the Government’s growth agenda.
“Several aspects of the planning system are presently under consultation leading some local authorities to delay publication of Local Plans which in turn is deterring investment.
“We would like to see all local authorities have a Local Plan in place but Government needs to use the carrot as well as the stick, providing more resources for planning departments and a clear policy framework to shape how Plans are developed.
The Government is still falling short of its own housing targets
In his speech, Gove proudly spoke of “more than 230,000 new homes [built] in the last year”. The official target for new homes built each year set by the Government is 300,000.
RICS’ senior public affairs officer Robert Toomey said that “the Government’s decision to water down housing targets is disappointing. Housing pressures are being acutely felt by people across England and the scrapping of the target of building 300,000 new homes a year, will not help to alleviate this pressure.”
RICS went on to say: “protecting the character of an area is important to local communities. However, this cannot be to the detriment of providing good, affordable housing for local communities.
“In order for local authorities to achieve this, it may be the case that the Government undertakes a review of the current Green Belt policy to transparently consider the benefits and trade-offs that apply to its current operation.”
Some SME firms feel forgotten in the NPPF announcement
Marc Vlessing, chief executive officer at Pocket Living, commented: “The Secretary of State’s decision to disregard the construction industry’s plea for a Small Sites Planning Policy will be the final blow for small builders across the country.
“All Michael Gove has done is rehash existing policy for small sites, which is delivering next to no development by builders who used to be the backbone of the economy.
“The situation has now reached a critical point, with the number of small builders in London alone declining by 66% since 2007. We therefore urgently call on the secretary of state to take action before it is too late.
“This announcement is a scandalous abandonment of small businesses who used to form the core of the Conservative vote.”
