Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government was in Cornwall this week. He suggested people should “embrace” his proposed planning changes, which he claimed would “help local people have more say.”
The truth is that the spin does not reflect the reality of the planning changes.
I am pleased to be able to report that I have tabled a motion to the next meeting of Cornwall Council, which strongly opposes the Planning White Paper and associated changes. The meeting will take place virtually on 22nd September.
The motion is as follows:
This Council notes that the Government has published the “Planning for the Future” White Paper and an associated document that would bring forward some more immediate changes to the planning system.
This Council notes that the proposals would completely alter the planning system in Cornwall and raises strong objections to the proposed changes which include the following:
· An objection to the further centralisation of the planning process, which would take decision-making powers away from Cornwall and undermine the Cornwall Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans.
· An objection to the “standard method for establishing housing requirement figures” which would increase Cornwall’s 20-year housing target to an extremely unsustainable 81,000 properties – up from the present target of 52,500.
· An objection to the zoning of land, which would allow certain developments to happen without the need for a formal planning application and also undermine faith in the planning process.
· An objection to the proposal that a new Local Plan must be completed to a central government template within a 30-month timetable, which will reduce the ability of the unitary authority to prepare planning policies best suited to Cornwall.
· An objection that affordable housing would no longer be sought on sites (not deemed designated rural areas) of up to 40 or 50 new properties.
· An objection to the extension of “permission in principle” to larger housing developments, which would further openness of planning process.
This Council also raises concerns about the end of Section 106 legal agreements and the introduction of an Infrastructure Levy which could make it more difficult to ensure the delivery of affordable homes and other community benefits.
This Council further requests that the Government rethinks its approach to changing the planning system.
I am pleased to be able to report that I have tabled a motion to the next meeting of Cornwall Council, which strongly opposes the Planning White Paper and associated changes. The meeting will take place virtually on 22nd September.
The motion is as follows:
This Council notes that the Government has published the “Planning for the Future” White Paper and an associated document that would bring forward some more immediate changes to the planning system.
This Council notes that the proposals would completely alter the planning system in Cornwall and raises strong objections to the proposed changes which include the following:
· An objection to the further centralisation of the planning process, which would take decision-making powers away from Cornwall and undermine the Cornwall Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans.
· An objection to the “standard method for establishing housing requirement figures” which would increase Cornwall’s 20-year housing target to an extremely unsustainable 81,000 properties – up from the present target of 52,500.
· An objection to the zoning of land, which would allow certain developments to happen without the need for a formal planning application and also undermine faith in the planning process.
· An objection to the proposal that a new Local Plan must be completed to a central government template within a 30-month timetable, which will reduce the ability of the unitary authority to prepare planning policies best suited to Cornwall.
· An objection that affordable housing would no longer be sought on sites (not deemed designated rural areas) of up to 40 or 50 new properties.
· An objection to the extension of “permission in principle” to larger housing developments, which would further openness of planning process.
This Council also raises concerns about the end of Section 106 legal agreements and the introduction of an Infrastructure Levy which could make it more difficult to ensure the delivery of affordable homes and other community benefits.
This Council further requests that the Government rethinks its approach to changing the planning system.
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