Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has unveiled major reforms of the country’s planning system to make it fit to tackle new challenges in the 21st century - speeding up the system alongside improved community consultation.
The wide-ranging White Paper has four key pillars:
- A better, quicker system to decide major infrastructure projects with enhanced community engagement and an improved level of expertise.
- Simplifying the local planning system for householders to make it far easier to make home improvements like extensions and conservatories, where there is little or no impact on neighbours.
- Planning playing a bigger role in tackling climate change.
- Ensuring the planning system continues to support vibrant town centres.
The Government also pledged a new commitment to protect the green belt. The White Paper makes clear previously developed brown field land must remain the clear priority for housing development with our parks and green spaces protected.
The simplifying of the local planning system for householders will allow councils to focus on strategic priorities such as more homes for future generations and tackling climate change.
Ruth Kelly said: “It is 60 years since the Attlee Government introduced the Town and Country Planning Act - the system has created thriving towns and protected our green spaces.
“But today we face challenges that the Attlee Government could never have foreseen - the need to cut emissions from climate change, or the need to support high-quality jobs and build more homes.
“If we are to thrive, we need a better system for taking the difficult decisions. If we do not the risks are significant - energy shortages, mounting congestion and increasing pollution.”
|
If you like this article and want to share it with friends, please use the social links below:
|
|
Back