The New National Planning Policy Framework - Martin Boddy

PowerPoint Presentation: 

The New National Planning Policy Framework – Threat or Opportunity? Professor Martin Boddy Chair of SWO Advisory Board and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research and Engagement, University of the West of England

Draft National Planning Policy Framework (July 2011): 

Draft National Planning Policy Framework (July 2011) ‘By replacing over a thousand pages of national policy with around fifty, written simply and clearly, we are allowing people and communities back into planning’ (Greg Clark, Foreword)

Localism Act 2011: 

Localism Act 2011 “Today marks the beginning of an historic shift of power from Whitehall to every community, to take back control over their lives” “The Localism Act pulls down the Whitehall barricades so it will no longer call the shots over communities – bug bears like housing targets and bin taxes are gone”

NPPF: the Headlines: 

NPPF: the Headlines Presumption in favour of sustainable development Evidence-based, plan-led system Local plans to set out local vision along with strategic priorities Duty to cooperate on planning issues Neighbourhood plans

and more …: 

and more … Planning for Prosperity: business, town centres, rural economy, transport, communications … Planning for People: housing supply, design, sustainable communities, Green Belt Planning for Places: low carbon, renewables, flood risk management, natural/historical environment

So why all the fuss?: 

So why all the fuss? Much of the framework reasonable, if somewhat general as a policy framework Controversy focused on ‘presumption in favour of development’ in a policy ostensibly promoting ‘localism’ And the (unmentioned) stripping away of regional/strategic planning framework …. Both of which put the focus on Local Plans – objectives, evidence-base, preparedness

Regional Strategy – the Long Goodbye: 

Regional Strategy – the Long Goodbye Were to become regional strategy from 1/4/10 under LDEDC Act 2009 Implementation in SW stalled by legal case in East of England over adequacy of SEA RPG10 remained in place as RS August 2009, Caroline Spelman MP wrote to council leaders indicating that a future Conservative government would abolish RS, advised them not to progress controversial housing targets 27 May 2010, Rt Hon Eric Pickles wrote to council leaders, intention to “rapidly abolish” RSs (just over 2 weeks after taking office) 6 July 2010 Mr Pickles announced RSs to be revoked under powers in 2009 Act “in order to give clarity to builders, developers and planners”

Fun and games…: 

Fun and games… November, 2010, Cala Homes case in High Court ruled against, reinstated RS Mr Pickles undaunted: ‘ Whilst respecting the court’s decision this ruling changes very little’ DCLG wrote to LPAs and PINS indicating they should still have regard to letter of 27 May CALA challenged this also, court ruled RS still part of the development plan, and DP Documents must be in conformity RS remains in place (RPG10 in SW) despite powers now in Localism Act Debate on how much weight rumbles on in Local Plan EIPs – eg N Somerset where the ghost of RS lives on Cannot be revoked until SEAs concluded – published for consultation until 20/1/12

Localism Act 2011: 

Localism Act 2011 Royal Assent November 16, covers … Planning Local Government – general powers of competence, ‘shadow mayors’ in 12 cities Community empowerment – referenda on council tax Housing – homelessness, social housing tenure, housing finance

Planning goes Local: 

Planning goes Local Act gives power (almost) to abolish RSs Duty to cooperate on cross boundary issues re. sustainable planning Local influence on Community Infrastructure Levy New statutory (voluntary) neighbourhood plans, development orders (in conformity with existing plans) Infrastructure Planning Commission abolished, SoS to decide on projects of national significance – ‘return to democratic accountability’

Questions and issues: 

Questions and issues Presumption in favour of development The role of local plans Abolition of RS Housing numbers

The Day of the Triffids ... Presumption in favour of development: 

The Day of the Triffids ... Presumption in favour of development ‘At the heart of the planning system is a presumption in favour of sustainable development .. Planning authorities should ... approve all individual proposals wherever possible’ (DNPPF) ‘grant permission where the plan is absent, silent, indeterminate or where relevant policies are out of date ‘Every effort should be made to identify and meet the housing, business and other development needs of an area, and respond positively to wider opportunities for growth. Decision-takers at every level should assume that the default answer to development proposals is “yes” except where this would compromise the key sustainable development principles set out in this Framework’

PowerPoint Presentation: 

“speculators’ charter” ... “almost impossible to resist development” (George Monbiot) Opposed by National Trust, Daily Telegraph ... But ... ‘planning should be genuinely plan-led’ DNPPF Where local plans are in place, found to be sound at EIPs, these will determine levels and locations of development – ‘development that reflects the vision and aspiration of local communities’ – NIMBY Charter? ‘The Government attaches great importance to Green Belts’, establish boundaries in Local Plans, only alter in ‘exceptional circumstances’, only allow inappropriate developments in ‘very special circumstances’ Danger only comes when local plans not in place – could be quite a lot of places.

Farewell my Lovely ... the end of strategic planning as we know it?: 

Farewell my Lovely ... the end of strategic planning as we know it? Strategic planning in the form of RS & ‘top down’ housing numbers stripped out (almost) but ... ‘Nobody who has any appreciation of planning ... Has ever doubted the need for planning to have local and strategic components ... matters that are very important, which concern more than one authority and topic, relate to extended timescales ...’ Baker Associates, evidence to CLG Committee One of the benefits of regional strategies was that they were long-term documents, they looked forwards over a 20-year period ... You had a long term vision for it. I think the threat of localism is that people do not look forward very far. (Home Builders Federation, evidence to CLGC)

So ...: 

So ... Can localism deliver on ‘larger than local’ issues? Can localism do long- termism ? Can localism do ‘controversial’ issues -, minerals, waste, gypsy and traveller sites, renewable energy, climate change. The answer: the Duty to Cooperate - ‘Local planning authorities should work collaboratively on strategic planning priorities to enable delivery of sustainable economic growth’ Evidence of compliance judged at examination of plan – no subsequent scrutiny/sanction

And the housing numbers?: 

And the housing numbers? “Our proposals will stimulate housing development. By abolishing Regional Strategies local planning authorities will be able to work with communities to see their vision for development realised. A key element of this will be decisions about housing and planning policy, including housing numbers and the pattern of development, which should rightly be taken locally” DCLG Evidence to CLGC ‘Building more homes is the gold standard upon which we will be judged’. Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP

Reduction in proposed housing targets against Proposed Changes in RSS: 

Reduction in proposed housing targets against Proposed Changes in RSS

‘iffy evidence’ (Mr Pickles) or is it ...: 

‘iffy evidence’ (Mr Pickles) or is it ... The number of homes no longer being planned since the Government announced its intention to abolish regional strategies has now increased to a total of around 201,509. This number has risen dramatically since our first assessment was carried out in July 2010; this concluded that 84,530 dwellings were no longer being planned for ... 88% of the estimated 201,509 dwellings derive from official local authority sources ...

Fair enough – that’s localism in action?: 

Fair enough – that’s localism in action? ‘Local vision’ ‘It’s the economy, stupid’, mortgages, corporate credit, unemployment ... But also ... house prices:earnings across SW Short-termism, uncertainty – what happens come the recovery? And what happened to the growth agenda? And affordable housing?

Don’t forget – there are places that want to grow ...: 

Don’t forget – there are places that want to grow ... Plymouth, Ashford, Southampton, Newcastle Liverpool ... … If they can What does localism offer them?

The Lone Arranger (and Tonto): New Homes Bonus (and CIL) to the Rescue?: 

The Lone Arranger (and Tonto): New Homes Bonus (and CIL) to the Rescue? ‘.. An effective fiscal incentive to encourage local authorities to facilitate housing growth’ ‘there will be affluent areas that are willing to forgo a not very great amount of money in order not to upset their vociferous populations ... Councils in deprived areas that want to take advantage of this’ ARSS Report, 119 And the House-building stimulus package

Evidence Vacuum?: 

Evidence Vacuum? Not only top-down targets gone – also lost consistent evidence base: ‘Much of the evidence to support LDFs was provided by the regional spatial strategies.’ CLGC Report ‘Regional Observatories were established to provide analysis of data to support planning and other decisions at a regional and sub-regional level’ ibid ‘There remain the questions of, first, whether it is an efficient use of public resources to leave it to individual local authorities … second, who will take the strategic view of the type and comparability of data …’ ibid

What we need is a SW Observatory Housing & Planning Module! : 

What we need is a SW Observatory Housing & Planning Module! ‘Crucial that evidence is assembled on a consistent basis … to ensure that planning decisions are soundly based … clear opportunities for individuals and groups to challenge decisions that apparently pay insufficient attention to the evidence’ (this includes Inspectors who are very exposed in the current process) ‘Recommend … proposals which will ensure that robust and consistent evidence to support local development plans is produced and regularly updated in the most effective and efficient manner’