PLANNING
Localism, localism, localism.
Can the Government’s new boot kickstart the housing market, asks Fritz Graves.
T
he Government has made it clear that change is on the agenda for all those in the property industry. Fritz Graves, Head of Planning at Andrew Granger & Co
(
www.andrewgranger.co.uk) examines the implications of the proposals. It’s been a difficult couple of years for
just about everybody – but many working in the property sector could argue with some justification that things have been particularly grim for them. The uncertainty following the election result did little to instil confidence in the housing market, but it appears that the Government has come forward with all guns blazing, proposing some significant changes to the way planning and building is controlled.
Small iS beautiful The major shift is the transfer of power from national and regional to local. As Communities Secretary Eric Pickles hinted when he declared his priorities for planning as “localism, localism, localism”, control over planning is set to move into the hands of local councils and the communities they serve.
22 OCTOBER 2010 PROPERTYdrum One way that the government aims to
achieve this transfer of power is through the introduction of the Decentralisation and Localisation Bill. Eric Pickles has already outlined his desire to do away with ‘the top down’ housing targets as well as Regional Spatial Strategies, which were brought in by the previous government in an attempt to create a coherent spatial vision and strategy for each area.
Devolving power At the heart of the new bill, which is expected to become law during the latter stages of 2010, is the desire to ‘devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods’ and ‘give local communities control over housing and planning decisions’ across England and Wales. By giving more power to the people who live and work there, the theory is that each town, city or village will be judged on an individual basis, and will have more influence over its own residential and commercial developments. It is hoped that this will also encourage
property investors to instigate local projects that will enhance and fit in with existing housing.
The bill also aims to free local
government organisations from the bureaucracy associated with central control, resulting in a more efficient planning system – on paper at least.
DecentraliSation & localiSation – a Summary of change The bill includes some changes that will be welcomed by almost everyone, such as the abolition of HIPs, but it remains to be seen how some of the other proposals will be received. Some of the key proposals are: Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies. Giving local councils the power to make decisions about housing and planning in their area. The abolition of the Infrastructure Planning Commission, an independent body that decides applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects. It is to be replaced by a fast-track process for major projects. Outright abolition of the currently suspended Home Improvement Packs (HIPs). The creation of new trusts designed to make it simpler for communities to provide homes for local people.
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