Fears of concrete chaos in drive to build, build, build
End of red tape could leave public with little say on major housing projects
HOMEOWNERS could see huge new developments waved through in their area – thanks to the biggest shake-up of planning laws for more than 70 years.
In a move to strip red tape out of the current system, new homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices will be given an automatic ‘permission in principle’ in certain swathes of the country.
It will see the entire country split up into three types of land – areas designated for ‘growth’, and those earmarked for ‘renewal’ or ‘protection’.
However, there are concerns that those living in these ‘growth’ areas could be confronted with huge new developments they will get little say over.
With a consultation on the proposals set to be launched this week, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the existing system had been a ‘ barrier to building homes which are affordable’. Currently, it takes an average of five years for a standard housing development to pass through the planning system ‘before a spade is even in the ground,’ Mr Jenrick said.
The proposals, which are part of Boris Johnson’s ‘build, build, build’ strategy, would see the biggest change to planning rules since the end of the Second World War.
But bodies representing councils said the overhaul must not lead to below-standard homes built without proper public consultation.
The Local Government Association (LGA) chairman James Jamieson said: ‘ The planning system needs to be able to ensure developments are of a high standard, are built in the right places, include affordable homes and are supported by infrastructure that provides enough schools, promotes greener and more active travel, and tackles climate change.
‘The Government’s own independent report warned of the worse quality of homes not delivered through the planning system.
‘We urge the Government to heed these warnings and not further side-line the planning process.’
He said it was a ‘myth’ that planning was a barrier to housebuilding, pointing out that nine in 10 applications were approved by councils.
The new system will involve quicker development on land designated ‘for renewal’ – with a ‘permission in principle’ approach.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that this would balance the need for proper checks with a speedier way of working.
Other categories will see land designated for growth where new homes, hospitals and schools will be allowed automatically. But areas of outstanding natural beauty and the green belt will come under a protection category.
The new process will be done through democratic local agreement, be clearer and cut out red tape, the Government said.
Mr Jenrick said: ‘For too long home ownership has remained out of reach for too many, as a complex and outdated planning system has failed to keep up with the needs of our country. I am completely overhauling the system so we can build more good quality, attractive and affordable homes faster – and more young families can finally have the key to their own home.’
‘Complex and outdated system’
THIS was supposed to be the week the Government told white-collar workers it was time to get back to the office.
Yet not a single minister took to the airwaves over the weekend to communicate this vital message. The silence was deafening. Instead of a road-map back to normality, fears of a second wave of Covid19 mean we must now expect even greater restrictions on our freedoms.
Pubs and restaurants may have to close again next month as a ‘ trade- off ’ for schools being allowed to reopen.
And there are even suggestions that the over-50s could be told to shield themselves by staying at home.
This would be a gross over-reaction. Nearly 90 per cent of Covid fatalities have been among the over-65s. For those in their 50s without underlying problems, the risk is still extremely low.
By contrast, the risk to the economy, the High Street and our everyday life is astronomical. Unless Britain gets back to work soon, we are heading for a slump unprecedented in modern times.
we must find a way to snap the country out of its torpor before the damage becomes irreparable. Planned rapid testing centres and more effective tracing will help, but they will not extinguish the virus.
Covid may be with us for years to come. we must find a way to live with it – without allowing countless lives and livelihoods to be destroyed in the process.