Two weeks ago, in my column in the Cornish Guardian, I wrote about the Government proposals to completely change the planning system. Since then, a large number of people have spoken to me about the “reforms.”
The breadth and complexity of the changes mean that lots of people are struggling to comprehend how planning will work in the future, while many are opposed to the nature of the changes. I am hearing particularly strong opposition to the top-down imposition of a new twenty-year housing target of 81,000 properties across Cornwall – up from the present figure of 52,500.
There are two ongoing consultations, but some individuals have expressed the view to me that there is no point in responding. They feel that nothing can be done and the Westminster Government will simply press ahead – regardless of what the general public might say. But it is extremely important that we do make our views known to central government and our local MPs.
It remains my opinion that the proposed new planning system will be a disaster for Cornwall. It further centralises authority in Whitehall and will lead to a truly unsustainable level of housing growth, with an associated adverse impact on our environment and our public services. I can confirm that I will be making a detailed submission to this effect.
If you wish to join me in responding to the “Planning for the Future” and the “changes to the current planning system” consultations, the necessary documentation can be found on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government website.
Making our views known might have an impact. There have been numerous Government u-turns in recent months (including aspects of the response to Covid-19 and a rethink on the marking of A’levels and GCSEs).
And I would like to remind everyone that not all Government proposals come to fruition. This includes the South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), which was published for formal consultation in August 2008. The document contained proposals for a twenty-year housing target of 68,200 new housing units for Cornwall – up from an earlier figure of 45,000.
But the RSS did not happen and was ditched by the Conservative-led Coalition, elected in 2010. Eric Pickles, the-then Secretary of State, said the Government was “committed to localism and greater local decision-making in planning” with a “significant shift in power to local people.”
Surely, this what the present Government should be delivering, instead of their proposition in its “Planning for the Future” White Paper, which take control away from local communities and their elected representatives.
This is my article in this week’s Cornish Guardian.
The White Paper consultation (which closes on 29 October) can be viewed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-planning-for-the-future-consultation-to-reform-the-planning-system
The second consultation (which closes on 1 October) can be viewed at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-current-planning-system
Good post :-) I've replied to the main reforms consultation - but the fact it took me about 8 hours over 2 days to go through it and type replies must be enough to put off 95% of people except those who really refuse to see time and effort as a barrier.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd consultation, the much shorter one, I've not done yet.