Local councils fret over proposed planning reforms

Thursday 1st December 2011

Local authorities are highly critical of the proposed planning reforms, and have let the Government know of their concerns.

In an analysis of 27 local authority responses to the public consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework, a number of concerns were raised.

The analysis, by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, of what it describes as a representative sample, shows that of the 27 local councils, 26 say there is an inadequate definition of ‘sustainable’ development.

Other concerns include the lack of emphasis on re-using brownfield land and the need for appropriate transitional arrangements to ensure a smooth shift to any new system.

Only one of the nine authorities which commented on the issue thought ‘ordinary’ (un-designated) countryside would be adequately protected from development.

Kate Houghton, planning officer at the CPRE, said: “Our analysis demonstrates that the Government cannot afford to push through their reforms without taking account of these widely held concerns.

“Changes need to be made to the planning system, but if we don’t get them right we risk causing long-term damage to both our urban and rural landscapes.”