Localism Act marks major change to planning system

Published by Fiona Mannion for TCPA in Central Government and also in Communities, Housing, Local Government

Yesterday the Localism Bill gained Royal Assent and was enacted. Alongside a wider package of planning reforms, the Localism Act marks a profound change to the English planning system. The Localism Act contains wide-ranging measures on local government finance, powers forLondon and a general power of competence for local authorities. In relation to planning, Part 5 of the Act introduces a procedurally complex new neighbourhood planning process; makes changes to the Local Development Framework (LDF) and planning applications processes; abolishes Regional Strategies; and introduces a ‘duty to co-operate’.

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of leading housing and planning charity, the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA),  said:

“The effectiveness and fairness of the new regime will depend not just on the extensive legislation set out in the Localism Act, but also on a wider package of changes.  These include the introduction of the New Homes Bonus, designed to incentivise housing growth, changes to Housing Benefit and a new National Planning Policy Framework, which will contain the key national policy direction for planning.”

“Now is the time for local authorities to seize the devolved powers in the Localism Act for the benefit of the communities they represent. The challenge will be to find the most effective balance between strategic housing policy and an emphasis on the localism approach; the balance between traditional land use regulation and fiscal incentives; and the degree to which, taken as whole, the reforms provide for a socially progressive framework which will ensure access to high-quality homes and communities.”