{"id":1146,"date":"2020-09-29T12:38:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T11:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/?page_id=1146"},"modified":"2020-09-29T12:38:38","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T11:38:38","slug":"planning-consultation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/?p=1146","title":{"rendered":"Seven things you should know about the new planning white paper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>A new government white paper asks for views on proposed changes to the planning system. How can we understand what it says and how to respond? Local planning expert and climate group member, Yvonne Estop-Wood, gives us the low-down.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, a simple explanation of town planning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em>A \u2018local plan\u2019 (EHDC call it the district plan) is produced by every council to show where and when development can take place, over 15-20 years.<\/em><\/li><li><em>The local plan has policies for economy, environment, transport, housing, public services, public spaces.<\/em><\/li><li><em>Planning permission is granted for each development, after consultation, with detailed conditions on how, when and why specific actions and precautions are needed.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We all moan about planning and blame it for over-development, too much traffic, and loss of trees. Councils are slow, planners are boring, planning permission for my extension was refused while the new multi-storey car park was granted&#8230;&nbsp; So why should we be bothered by a new planning system, simplifying permissions to get housing built, with councils having a reduced role to play?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We do need to be bothered because the local plan is the basis of locally determined community life, conservation and environmental responsibility. The government proposals would standardise development policies across the country, require local authorities to make design rules only and limit public involvement in planning applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are seven points to help you respond to the proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1&nbsp; Focus on the core proposals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a summary of the main things the government wants to do, with comments on why they raise concerns in <em>italics<\/em>. The Government aims to increase certainty and reduce financial risk for landowners and developers, and to increase the amount of houses built:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Councils to produce simplified local plans defining land in their area as three zones \u2013 <strong>growth<\/strong> (fields around towns), <strong>renewal <\/strong>(old bits to be redeveloped), <strong>protection<\/strong> (green belt, heritage, vulnerable nature). <em>This is too simplistic. It ignores how towns and neighbourhoods actually work, and ignores transport and industry.<\/em><\/li><li>Land for <strong>growth<\/strong> would have automatic planning permission (instead of needing an outline application). <em>This will automatically allow development without scrutiny of boundaries, access and layouts. It might promote sprawl and reduces the chance for public comment.<\/em><\/li><li>In <strong>renewal <\/strong>areas, simpler planning permissions called a \u2018fast track to beauty\u2019. <em>This means<\/em> <em>more kinds of development would be allowed without the need for planning permission, including some \u2018densification\u2019 of suburban areas, as long as it follows a national \u2018design code\u2019.<\/em> <em>The increase in permitted development is a removal of local control and reduces scrutiny and quality.<\/em><\/li><li>Councils to produce local plans in 30 months (rather than 3 years), based on the number of homes and business floorspace needed. This would \u2018provide certainty\u2019 for developers and local communities. But with \u2018more public engagement in plan-making\u2019. <em>A strategic approach to allocating land cannot be rushed and needs proper research and specialist consultation. Development should always be based on transport and environmental impact, this is not mentioned at all. More \u2018public engagement\u2019 means the chance for landowners to contribute rather than the local community.<\/em><\/li><li>Planning permissions to be determined by national policy (the National Planning Policy Framework &#8211; NPPF) rather than locally-determined policy in local plans. Councils would just make design rules covering local character. <em>Planning policy is the way places are shaped. Limiting council and community input will damage sense of ownership and stewardship of places, and rules for design will be easily exploited by developers.<\/em><\/li><li>Instead of the existing \u2018tests of soundness\u2019 for local plans, there would be a \u2018simplified test about whether the plan contributes to achieving sustainable development in accordance with policy issued by the Secretary of State.\u2019 <em>In other words, not sustainable, because the government has already devalued the word. The current tests of soundness are sensible, this simplification puts aside a lot of environmental impact appraisal.<\/em><\/li><li>Funding for public services with a nationally set, flat rate charge (the \u2018Infrastructure Levy\u2019 &#8211; IL) based on development value. Small schemes of up to 50 homes would not have to pay \u2013 to help small building companies. <em>The IL is very unclear, but is a long way from \u2018land value capture\u2019 whereby the community benefits from the increased land value, rather than the landowner.<\/em><\/li><li>\u2018\u2026.we will facilitate ambitious improvements in the energy efficiency standards for buildings to help deliver our world-leading commitment to net-zero by 2050, including the Future Homes Standard \u2013 with Zero Carbon ready homes from 2025.\u2019 <em>This is very weak considering the climate emergency, which the white paper does not address. \u2018Facilitate\u2019 means the main responsibility will be left to the developer\u2019s discretion.<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2&nbsp; Most of what it proposes could be accommodated without scrapping the existing legislation.<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The East Herts District Plan already allocates land for growth and renewal and protection. Local plan policy is effectively outline permission already. It is backed by information about our population changes, economy, environment. It is being implemented now. The proposed changes would create a period of uncertainty and disruption while the new zoning takes place. The emphasis on speed would encourage house builders to standardise buildings, and short-cut established place-making practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3&nbsp; Don\u2019t forget what the government has already damaged<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We need to speak out against what the government has already done to damage planning: scrapping of energy targets for new buildings; devaluing \u2018sustainability\u2019 to embrace short term economics; and making \u2018infrastructure\u2019 mean roads only, rather than water treatment and supply, runoff drainage, flood defence, energy, waste, buses, bikes and car clubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4&nbsp; Don\u2019t be distracted by the nice bits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t be distracted by the lovely photos in the white paper. It proposes nice things weakly &#8211; removal of viability assessments, prevention of ugliness, appointment of a head of design in each local authority&nbsp; \u2013 all fine, and variations of old tunes. It presses for digitisation of planning information, rather than documents: fine. This can be done without a new zoning system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5&nbsp; Pay attention to the criticisms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We should not object without taking seriously the white paper\u2019s criticisms of current plan-making \u2013 do all councils have to reinvent policies? And its criticisms of obstructive local decision-making &#8211; after all, we all moan, so it is reflecting this. The criticisms arise from bad behaviour of developers, consultants milking the system with overblown documents, and local busybodies stubbornly delaying change. While challenging the white paper reforms, we should respectfully ask our councillors and pressure groups to engage with EHDC and make the best of new development where the plan allocates land, not repeatedly object in principle. Together with the district and town council we should resist speeding up development to enable better schemes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6&nbsp; What the white paper completely misses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps we do need planning reforms, but the big immediate challenges are entirely missed by this white paper, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The 2019 Climate emergency and 2050 target needs heavy obligations on developers to make zero carbon developments &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2020\/aug\/15\/uk-infrastructure-inadequate-for-climate-emergency-experts-warn\\\">https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2020\/aug\/15\/uk-infrastructure-inadequate-for-climate-emergency-experts-warn<\/a><\/li><li>Land value captured for community well-being &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.theplanner.co.uk\/news\/land-value-capture-system-reform-could-offer-public-service-gains-say-mps\\\">https:\/\/www.theplanner.co.uk\/news\/land-value-capture-system-reform-could-offer-public-service-gains-say-mps<\/a><\/li><li>Green belt policy needs reform to actually shape growth and restrain sprawl &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.centreforcities.org\/blog\/more-people-are-calling-for-green-belt-reform-and-the-government-is-listening\/\\\">https:\/\/www.centreforcities.org\/blog\/more-people-are-calling-for-green-belt-reform-and-the-government-is-listening\/<\/a><\/li><li>Housing need needs to be disentangled from the developers \u2018delivery\u2019 of any homes anywhere &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.bigissue.com\/latest\/finance\/a-land-banking-scandal-is-controlling-the-future-of-british-housing\/\\\">https:\/\/www.bigissue.com\/latest\/finance\/a-land-banking-scandal-is-controlling-the-future-of-british-housing\/<\/a><\/li><li>Serious public transport planning to serve rich and poor &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.transportfornewhomes.org.uk\/\\\">https:\/\/www.transportfornewhomes.org.uk\/<\/a><\/li><li>Rebalancing northern and coastal towns &#8211; <a href=\\\"https:\/\/northernpowerhouse.gov.uk\/\\\">https:\/\/northernpowerhouse.gov.uk\/<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7&nbsp; It doesn\u2019t mesh with the Environment Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The white paper seems to be at odds with the Environment Bill, which \u2018will put the environment at the centre of policy making. It will make sure that we have a cleaner, greener and more resilient country for the next generation.\u2019 The planning white paper seems oblivious to a green and resilient country, and potentially helps landowners and developers to the severe detriment of local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to comment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government has set a deadline of 11:45pm on 29 October for comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can respond online: <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/MHCLG-Planning-for-the-Future\/\\\">https:\/\/www.smartsurvey.co.uk\/s\/MHCLG-Planning-for-the-Future\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or email: <a href=\\\"mailto:planningforthefuture@communities.gov.uk\\\">planningforthefuture@communities.gov.uk<\/a> and\/or write to <a href=\\\"https:\/\/members.parliament.uk\/FindYourMP\\\">your MP<\/a>.\u00a0In the Hertford and Stortford constituency, this is Julie Marson <a href=\\\"mailto:julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk\\\">julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk<\/a>. Remember to add your address and postcode so that Mrs Marson will know that you are one of her constituents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new government white paper asks for views on proposed changes to the planning system. How can we understand what it says and how to respond? Local planning expert and climate group member, Yvonne Estop-Wood, gives us the low-down. First, a simple explanation of town planning: A \u2018local plan\u2019 (EHDC call it the district plan)&hellip;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/?p=1146\" title=\"Continue reading &lsquo;Seven things you should know about the new planning white paper&rsquo;\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1146"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1146\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bishopsstortfordclimategroup.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}