What future for planning?
GWE Business West and British Chambers of Commerce brought
together key business interests in Bristol and Swindon for a
discussion about The Government’s proposals for change to the
planning system and the implications for business.
These proposed changes include:
- Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies
(RSS)
- Removal of national housing targets
- Abolition of the Infrastructure Planning
Commission
- Incentivising local growth
- Creation of Local Enterprise
Partnerships
Many of these changes, likely to be introduced
through the Decentralisation and Localism Bill due out in the next
month or so, are to be welcomed as a move towards more local
control and a consensus approach to decision making.
Businesses have however voiced their concerns
about what these changes will mean for our ability to plan at a
wider than local level. About the implications for the delivery of
strategic infrastructure and the need to satisfy housing and
employment demand in areas of growth.
There is also a real concern that the localism
agenda will be hijacked by the vocal minority to stop growth
happening in their area, whilst others who would benefit from
growth will have less of a voice.
Tessa Coombes, GWE Business West’s Director of
Policy and Strategy said, “Already, since the abolition of Regional
Spatial Strategies, plans for over 85000 new homes have been
scrapped and build rates are the lowest for decades, whilst there
remains at least a 1 million shortfall of housing across the
country. This trend cannot continue.
“The development and generation of new private
sector jobs to replace the shrinking public sector relies on
housing and employment land, new transport and other infrastructure
being delivered through a dynamic and responsive planning system at
local, sub national and national levels. This is what The
Government should be focused on delivering through its new planning
system.”
For further information, view GWE Business
West’s full briefing, ‘The Decentralisation & Localism Bill:
The Shape of the New Planning System’ and the ‘British Chambers of
Commerce: Planning Reform’ presentation at:
http://www.policy-updates.co.uk/
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Note to editors
[1] GWE Business West
GWE Business West exists to help provide an
environment in which business can thrive and prosper. It is a
private company with a public, business responsible purpose. It
delivers an extensive range of business to business services.
Acting on behalf of its members and customers, GWE Business West is
a powerful voice for the business community across the Bristol,
Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and
Wiltshire region, with strong roots in each of its local
communities.
Our business activities focus on:
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