REFORM OF THE PLANNING SYSTEM AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT LEWES DISTRICT

LDC/LDALC Town & ParishCouncils Conference

October 2011

Lindsay FrostDirector of Planning & Environmental Services

1 Planning Reform: Haven’t we been here before?

• Yes, many times

• Planning system established by 1947 Town & Country Planning Act with major reforms in 1962, 1971, 1980, 1990, 2004 and 2008

• Countless minor amending legislation, statutory instruments, departmental circulars, national planning policy guidance notes, in between major reforms

2 The Last Round of Reforms: 2004 - 2008

• Regional Plans and Local Development Frameworks

• Top down targets and inspection regime

• Infrastructure Planning Commissionto decide applications for nationallyimportant infrastructure

• Community Infrastructure Levy

3 The Coalition Government’s Critique

• Too much power in Whitehall and at regional level

• Top down targets not working: causing local resentment and failing to deliver growth

• “Planning system too slow, cumbersome and bureaucratic”

4 The Coalition Government’s Prescription

• “Localism, Localism, Localism”

– Less Whitehall controls and targets

– Abolish regional planning

– Shift power to local councils and communities

• Speed up and simplify planning

• Incentivise growth

5 The Localism Bill

• Key piece of legislation for the Coalition: supported by both Cons and LDs.

• Wide ranging: not just planning

• Bill now in Lords

• Royal Assent expected in November 2011

• Detailed regulations to follow onspecific reforms

6 Planning Reforms: Decentralisation

• Targets and inspection regime being dismantled

• Regional Spatial Strategies (South East Plan) to be abolished

• RSS still in force until abolition: evidence base and technical work still useful

• Duty to co-operate between local authorities

• IPC brought within Government to providepolitical accountability

7 Planning Reforms: Development Plans

• LDFs stay, but focus on Core Strategy

• Introduction of neighbourhood planning

– Prepared by T & P Councils, Neighbourhood Forums

– Need to comply with national policy/LDF

– Based on evidence and local consultation

– Examination by independent inspector

– Subject to binding referendum

– Will have statutory force

• Major new opportunity for local people to shape planning in their area

8 Planning Reforms: Streamlining The System

• Draft National Planning Policy Framework: 1000+ pages down to 50 pages

• Taking categories of development out of planning control

– Local Development Orders

– Neighbourhood Development Orders

– Campus sites – hospitals, universities

– Micro generation

– Business buildings to residential

– Other reforms of Use Classes Order

• Predetermination and predisposition

• Third party appeals considered, but rejected

• Reforms to make enforcement of planning control easier

9 Incentivising Growth

• Giving local control through neighbourhood planning

• New Homes Bonus – match funding Council tax receipts for up to six years

• Community Infrastructure Levy: developer contributions to infrastructure

10 Effect on planning in Lewes District

• Essential to progress LDF Core Strategy: adopt early 2013

• Work can begin on neighbourhood plans: start thinking now

• Progress CIL to ensure that development is supported by necessary infrastructure

• Loosening of planning control in some areas

• Resources to deliver the new planning system, especially at neighbourhood level

11 Thank you for Listening

Any Questions?

Lindsay Frost

Tel: 01273 484 437

E-mail: lindsay.frost@lewes.gov.uk