House building threatened by planning reforms

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said he wants to rapidly abolish regional strategies and return housing decision-making to local councils.

But Dr Hugh Ellis, TCPA chief planner, said: ‘The TCPA is profoundly concerned that the government’s proposal to abolish regional planning will destroy a valuable mechanism for making essential strategic investment decisions.

‘Unless transitional arrangements are set out and some form of strategic planning is established the abandonment of regional planning risks undermining the nation’s efforts to promote economic growth, respond to the demand or new housing, and to mitigate and adapt to climate change.’

The TCPA has published a report, The Future of Planning, which accepts planning needs to change but offers no clear view on what the new system should look like.

The report says a new system should be built on responsible localism, a national spatial framework, strategic planning and incentives for growth.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the TCPA, said: ‘Good planning creates confidence, reduces costs, and supports investment. It enables economic growth, helps to meet local housing needs, and addresses the challenges of climate change. Today, planning is not doing this as well as it should.

‘As recognised by government, reforms are necessary to ensure that local plans reflect the needs and aspirations of every community, while supporting economic recovery.’

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment