After working with 18 organisations, including the Woodland Trust and Green Alliance, the CPRE countryside charity has today published a response to the government’s proposals for reform of the planning system in England, announced in August 2020. Entitled, ‘Joint vision for planning,’ it aims to ‘lay out what a planning system fit for the 21st century will look like,’ believing that:
‘… the planning system is a toolbox for achieving better – for people, nature and the economy – while supporting the delivery of more badly-needed homes to end the housing crisis.’
In August 2020, the government’s planning proposals were cited by the CPRE as the most radical changes to the planning system since its creation in 1947. In the same month, the CPRE launched a petition in response to the proposals, asking that the government shouldn’t ignore communities when deciding what gets built and where. Its ‘Joint vision for planning’ reflects this by stating that the planning system should ‘be democratic and place local communities at the centre.’ It also believes the planning system should:
- Be plan-led and locally-led
- Have sustainable development at its heart
- Deliver enough quality affordable and social homes for rent to meet local needs
- Tackle the biodiversity crisis
- Help tackle the climate emergency
- Ensure beautiful, quality places that are in keeping with local character
- Both protect and enhance local green spaces and heritage for the benefit of people and nature
- Make best use of previously built on land to maintain our green spaces and reduce dependency on cars
- Encourage green and sustainable forms of transport
- Be evidence-based
CPRE deputy chief executive, Tom Fyans, said:
‘…we’re calling on the government to plan back better and work with us to develop a planning system that puts people, and tackling the climate and ecological emergencies, at its heart.
‘We all deserve a home we can genuinely afford to live in, and to have a say in shaping the communities around us.’
Alison Taylor, property partner and practice group leader adds:
‘With B P Collins’ expertise in property, planning, environmental and construction law, we are best placed to navigate the new planning system and how any changes will affect our property clients, from property developers right through to commercial property owners, to help them plan for the future.’
It is expected that the government will begin to draft the new planning system legislation later in 2021.
For further advice please contact 01753 889995 or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk.
