Planning for the future - Changes to the planning system in England
On 6th August the Government published the long-awaited White Paper on their proposed "radical" changes to the planning system in England. The reforms are intended to streamline and modernise the current process and fundamentally change how it operates. Like many recent changes, it focuses primarily on the delivery of new homes but it is not restricted just to addressing the current residential crisis.
Your questions answered
We’re here to make complex easy for our clients and are delving deeper to provide clarity on the consequences and next steps. A lot of questions have been raised and our experts are tackling these in a series of insights articles.
If you'd like further clarity on a matter relevant to you let us know using the form below.
Standard Method Mk2 – Has the Government finally cracked it?
Find out more »
Amendments to the 'Use Classes Order' explained
Find out more »
Planning for the future - Achieving the vision
Find out more »
What about the immediate changes to the planning system?
Find out more »
Planning for a 'Beautiful and Sustainable' future
Find out more »
What does this mean for development-funded transport infrastructure?
Find out more »
What does this mean for transport?
Find out more »
What does this mean for the future of the Logistics sector?
Find out more »The key changes summarised
The principal changes are:
- Planning permission in principle granted where the proposed land use is allocated in “growth or renewal areas’ of a Local Plan.
- Planning applications to focus on compliance with national and local set design codes.
- Introducing a “Community Infrastructure Levy” - to be charged as a fixed proportion of the development value above a threshold, with a mandatory nationally-set rate or rates - to fund affordable housing and other infrastructure – thereby abolishing section 106 planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy.
The White Paper also proposes:
- Technical changes to calculation of the standard method for calculating local housing need.
- Measures to speed up the process of the delivery of local plans within 30 months
- Making use of technology for - both applicants and local planning authorities – to make the planning much simpler and understood by the wider community in the determination of planning applications and site allocations in local plans.
- Increased resources for Local Planning Authorities to deliver the proposed changes
- Introduction of new development corporations.
- First Homes as a new tenure in the housing market with a 1,500 homes pilot delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme
These proposed changes to the Planning system if enacted will have significant implications for the delivery of new homes, jobs, and social and economic infrastructure.
Can we help?
Darren Parker
Operational Director - Planning (UK South West and Wales) +44 (0)29 2066 8662 EMAIL
View profile »
Tim Partridge
Operational Director - Planning (UK Midlands and North) +44 (0) 121 622 8520 EMAIL
Karen Jones
Operational Director - Planning (London) +44 (0) 20 7280 3300 EMAIL
Get in touch
Your contact information:
All fields are mandatory *