6 December 2022
by Richard Knox-Johnston
Major changes to planning controls and policies regarding housing development are to be implemented in the forthcoming Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
This is the letter sent from Michael Gove to MPs outlining amendments to the Bill.
After some considerable lobbying by the LGBC amongst backbench MPs, the LGBC is pleased to see the following:
- greater protection for the Green Belt with changes to the NPPF
- emphasis on brownfield first in order to protect greenfield development
- the abolition of top-down housing figures acknowledging that they are "unrealistic"
- greater involvement of local communities in planning and especially local plans
- more control of the Inspectorate stopping developers obtaining permission through appeals against local opposition and in forcing local authorities to sacrifice Green Belt in Local Plans
- strengthening neighbourhood plans
- stopping land banking by introducing financial penalties for not building out when they have planning permission
These are all important changes for which the LGBC has campaigned. We shall be keeping a close eye on the Leveling Up Bill in order that these important changes are enshrined in law.