News
Bodies seek reassurance over planning reforms
■
Fears that planning reforms could create barriers to
house building have led to nearly 30 organisations requesting a meeting with government. Since the coalition came to
power in May it has announced a string of policy changes, including a clampdown on building in back gardens and abolishing Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs). Now 29 organisations have
written to Eric Pickles, Communities and Local Government Secretary, through the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the reforms at regional level. Among the bodies supporting the move is the Royal Institute of British Architects, the UK Green Building Council and the Institution of Structural Engineers. The letter highlights fears that
barriers to ‘much-needed’ housing could be created by the plans. The
very careful not to miss the bigger picture as the localism agenda gathers pace.’ Reports suggest that local
Ann Skippers: ministers must not fail to see the ‘bigger picture’ on planning
bodies would also like to have some input into the draft Decentralisation and Localism Bill. Ann Skippers, president of the RTPI, said: ‘Ministers need to be
authorities are already scaling down plans to build thousands of homes in the wake of the abolition of RSSs, with Ashford Borough Council announcing it intends to scrap between 10% and 20% of its original 31,000 homes planned by 2031. ■ A CBI report looking at Britain’s energy future stresses that government needs to instil business with confi dence in the revised planning system. It says that, within the next six months the Decentralisation and Localism Bill must deliver a coherent structure for major energy infrastructure planning. It has found signifi cant
uncertainty still over the investment frameworks for a number of fuels and renewables.
www.cbi.org.uk
Councils get cash pledge for homes
Councils that build more homes will receive a cash bonus from government to increase house building. The New Homes Bonus,
to be introduced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review in October, will mean more homes will be built where they are needed, said Housing Minister Grant Shapps. The building of new homes is at the lowest peacetime level for 80 years. Local authorities are being encouraged to give planning consent now to receive the bonus, which can be used on any priorities they choose. Shapps said: ‘We will not tell communities how or where they should grow. But the new Homes Bonus will ensure that those communities that go for growth reap the benefi ts of development, not just the costs.’ A consultation paper on the fi nal
scheme will be published following the spending review.
Introducing the
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