Housing and Planning Bill gains royal assent | Planning Resource
This follows last-minute proposals initiated by the Lords on the issue of giving communities the right to appeal decisions on housing schemes that conflict with neighbourhood plans - although the government has rejected these in favour of its own proposals:
Lords back neighbourhood right of appeal | Planning Resource
Last year, various assurances had been made about the government's intentions to strengthen the neighbourhood planning process:
Housing bill: ministers seek more powers to intervene on parish plans | Planning Resource
However, matters are by no means settled, even after the passage of the Bill:
Protect neighbourhood plans from developers trying to ‘game the system’, MP says
It has been argued by many, including some MPs, that the Government’s amendment in lieu ‘does not go far enough’ beyond existing good practice in supporting neighbourhood planning.
Matt Thomson, head of planning at CPRE, said:
“While the Government’s amendment will reduce the scope of neighbourhood plans, and thereby the confidence of communities in them, we are pleased that the minister will explore further ways to empower local people.
“Lords and MPs have done a vital job in bringing attention to this issue. It is now up to Government to prove their commitment to neighbourhood plans and afford them more weight when crucial decisions are made.”
Sarah James, head of policy, Civic Voice, said:
"Neighbourhood plans are undermined by speculative developments, so we need a mechanism to ensure that those neighbourhood plans, once agreed or when close to agreement, are not subverted.
“Civic Voice wants to see a plan-led system, but where an application departs from a plan, the community should have the right to challenge. We will continue to campaign on this important civic movement issue"
Councillor Ken Browse, chairman, National Association of Local Councils (NALC), said:
“Neighbourhood planning is undoubtedly a positive step forward in placing more power over development in the hands of local people, but it is imperative the hard work of parish and town councils, working with their communities, and the integrity of neighbourhood plans, are not undermined.
“I look forward to working with the government and others to strengthen neighbourhood planning to ensure communities really are in the driving seat of how their places grow and develop.”
Notes
[1] Nick Herbert MP (Con, Arundel and South Downs) was very supportive of the Neighbourhood Right of Appeal, and in January tabled a Commons amendment to establish it in the Housing and Planning Bill. Alongside positive comments from Antoinette Sandbach (Con, Eddisbury), Mr Herbert spoke at length about the benefits of bringing in a right of appeal. He welcomed the minister’s pledge to discuss further ways of empowering neighbourhood planning.
Nick Herbert, House of Commons debate on Housing and Planning Bill, 9 May 2016
“It is therefore of concern to local communities that are about to produce a neighbourhood plan or have made one, and to other areas in the process of producing such plans or considering them, if developers appear to be allowed to come along, game the system, bang in a speculative planning application in the hope that they will get it through…”
Nick Herbert MP, House of Commons debate on Housing and Planning Bill, 9 May 2016
“…action in this area is necessary. The Government have taken a step towards it by seeking to insist on an amendment in lieu, which would require local authorities to identify where there was a conflict with the neighbourhood plan. That does not go far enough, because it merely reflects what happens in the planning system at the moment. I welcome the Minister’s willingness to engage with concerned Members on this issue, his understanding of its importance and his commitment to look at it again, perhaps with a view to some future proposals that will ensure that the policy of neighbourhood planning is upheld.
[2] There is the potential to restrict the scope of the proposal to relate to (a) specified types of planning application, i.e. proposals for new homes on sites not already identified in the relevant development plans, and (b) specified types of neighbourhood plan, i.e. those that plan positively for new housing development.
The ‘duty to meaningfully consult the neighbourhood planning body and take account of that body’s recommendations’ embodied in para (3) of the amendment could be included within a statute similar to the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.
The call-in direction element in para (4) could be incorporated into an updatedThe Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009
[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/neighbourhood-planning-powers-boosting-plans-for-housebuilding-by-more-than-10
Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning - Campaign to Protect Rural England
“Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning” | East Devon Watch
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.
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However, matters are by no means settled, even after the passage of the Bill:
Protect neighbourhood plans from developers trying to ‘game the system’, MP says
Friday 13 May 2016
Neighbourhood plans need to be protected from developers trying to ‘game the system’, the MP for Arundel and South Downs has suggested.
Nick Herbert called on the housing minister to commit to further steps to ensure that the plans, which parish councils have or are in the process of putting together, are not subverted by housebuilders.
Speaking in the House of Commons on amendments made by peers to the Housing and Planning Bill on Monday (May 9), Mr Herbert said he accepted why the Government had rejected his proposed ‘neighbourhood right of appeal’, but asked the minister to look at how neighbourhood plans could be strengthened.
Several West Sussex parish councils with approved neighbourhood plans have expressed concerns that developers are trying to get around them.
Mr Herbert has successfully persuaded the Secretary of State to call-in a number of these applications, but he believes greater protection for neighbourhood plans is needed, with developers looking to ‘game the system, bang in a speculative planning application in the hope that they will get it through’.
He said: “As the plans are voted on by a local referendum, it is very important that they are respected once they are agreed.”
Neighbourhood plans give communities control over where development can take place, allowing green spaces to be protected while other sites are earmarked for development.
But some developers have attempted to secure planning permission on sites that are not allocated for development in spite of the plans being agreed, or just before they are completed.
Planning minister Brandon Lewis said that he was ‘happy to make it clear that I want the law to be strongly in favour of neighbourhood plans’ and shared Mr Herbert’s desire to ensure that communities had the confidence to draw up their own plans.
Mr Lewis said: “I am happy to tell my right hon. friend that we will work with him and other colleagues to ensure that we give these neighbourhood plans the confidence and primacy that the Government always intended for them. We must ensure that neighbourhood plans are respected by the decision makers.”
Speaking after the debate, Mr Herbert said: “I will continue to discuss this issue with ministers and I am optimistic that we will see further measures to strengthen neighbourhood plans in due course.”
Protect neighbourhood plans from developers trying to ‘game the system’, MP says - West Sussex County Times
An alliance of campaign groups have voiced their concerns - and hopes that the process to secure neighbourhood planning will continue:
Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning
12 May 2016
Campaigners are urging Government to back up its pledge to give added strength to neighbourhood planning, following a debate on the Housing and Planning Bill on Monday (9 May).
Planning minister Brandon Lewis once again rejected a Lords amendment tabled by Baroness Parminter to enable communities with a complete or emerging neighbourhood plan to appeal against decisions that conflicted with that plan. Citing his opposition to extending third party rights in the planning system, Mr Lewis achieved parliamentary support to reinstate the Government’s own amendment to support neighbourhood planning: a clause to ensure complete plans are referred to in decisions.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Civic Voice and the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) are disappointed that the Government has established a clause that adds nothing to standard practice, but are heartened by Mr Lewis’s pledge to ‘work with colleagues to ensure that neighbourhood plans enjoy the primacy that we intend them to have in planning law’.
The groups believe that ministers can and should work with supportive Conservative MPs, such as Nick Herbert, and supportive peers to give greater weight to neighbourhood planning [1]. The groups argue that the secretary of state should incorporate the principles of a ‘neighbourhood right to be heard’, asalso tabled (and subsequently withdrawn) by Baroness Parminter on Tuesday (10 May), into secondary legislation or existing planning policy. These principles could include:
Neighbourhood plans need to be protected from developers trying to ‘game the system’, the MP for Arundel and South Downs has suggested.
Nick Herbert called on the housing minister to commit to further steps to ensure that the plans, which parish councils have or are in the process of putting together, are not subverted by housebuilders.
Speaking in the House of Commons on amendments made by peers to the Housing and Planning Bill on Monday (May 9), Mr Herbert said he accepted why the Government had rejected his proposed ‘neighbourhood right of appeal’, but asked the minister to look at how neighbourhood plans could be strengthened.
Several West Sussex parish councils with approved neighbourhood plans have expressed concerns that developers are trying to get around them.
Mr Herbert has successfully persuaded the Secretary of State to call-in a number of these applications, but he believes greater protection for neighbourhood plans is needed, with developers looking to ‘game the system, bang in a speculative planning application in the hope that they will get it through’.
He said: “As the plans are voted on by a local referendum, it is very important that they are respected once they are agreed.”
Neighbourhood plans give communities control over where development can take place, allowing green spaces to be protected while other sites are earmarked for development.
But some developers have attempted to secure planning permission on sites that are not allocated for development in spite of the plans being agreed, or just before they are completed.
Planning minister Brandon Lewis said that he was ‘happy to make it clear that I want the law to be strongly in favour of neighbourhood plans’ and shared Mr Herbert’s desire to ensure that communities had the confidence to draw up their own plans.
Mr Lewis said: “I am happy to tell my right hon. friend that we will work with him and other colleagues to ensure that we give these neighbourhood plans the confidence and primacy that the Government always intended for them. We must ensure that neighbourhood plans are respected by the decision makers.”
Speaking after the debate, Mr Herbert said: “I will continue to discuss this issue with ministers and I am optimistic that we will see further measures to strengthen neighbourhood plans in due course.”
Protect neighbourhood plans from developers trying to ‘game the system’, MP says - West Sussex County Times
An alliance of campaign groups have voiced their concerns - and hopes that the process to secure neighbourhood planning will continue:
Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning
12 May 2016
Campaigners are urging Government to back up its pledge to give added strength to neighbourhood planning, following a debate on the Housing and Planning Bill on Monday (9 May).
Planning minister Brandon Lewis once again rejected a Lords amendment tabled by Baroness Parminter to enable communities with a complete or emerging neighbourhood plan to appeal against decisions that conflicted with that plan. Citing his opposition to extending third party rights in the planning system, Mr Lewis achieved parliamentary support to reinstate the Government’s own amendment to support neighbourhood planning: a clause to ensure complete plans are referred to in decisions.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Civic Voice and the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) are disappointed that the Government has established a clause that adds nothing to standard practice, but are heartened by Mr Lewis’s pledge to ‘work with colleagues to ensure that neighbourhood plans enjoy the primacy that we intend them to have in planning law’.
The groups believe that ministers can and should work with supportive Conservative MPs, such as Nick Herbert, and supportive peers to give greater weight to neighbourhood planning [1]. The groups argue that the secretary of state should incorporate the principles of a ‘neighbourhood right to be heard’, asalso tabled (and subsequently withdrawn) by Baroness Parminter on Tuesday (10 May), into secondary legislation or existing planning policy. These principles could include:
- a duty to have special regard to made or emerging neighbourhood development plans;
- a duty to meaningfully consult the neighbourhood planning body and take account of that body’s recommendations; and
- guidance on and power to call-in decisions that do not accord with the plan [2]
It has been argued by many, including some MPs, that the Government’s amendment in lieu ‘does not go far enough’ beyond existing good practice in supporting neighbourhood planning.
Matt Thomson, head of planning at CPRE, said:
“While the Government’s amendment will reduce the scope of neighbourhood plans, and thereby the confidence of communities in them, we are pleased that the minister will explore further ways to empower local people.
“Lords and MPs have done a vital job in bringing attention to this issue. It is now up to Government to prove their commitment to neighbourhood plans and afford them more weight when crucial decisions are made.”
Sarah James, head of policy, Civic Voice, said:
"Neighbourhood plans are undermined by speculative developments, so we need a mechanism to ensure that those neighbourhood plans, once agreed or when close to agreement, are not subverted.
“Civic Voice wants to see a plan-led system, but where an application departs from a plan, the community should have the right to challenge. We will continue to campaign on this important civic movement issue"
Councillor Ken Browse, chairman, National Association of Local Councils (NALC), said:
“Neighbourhood planning is undoubtedly a positive step forward in placing more power over development in the hands of local people, but it is imperative the hard work of parish and town councils, working with their communities, and the integrity of neighbourhood plans, are not undermined.
“I look forward to working with the government and others to strengthen neighbourhood planning to ensure communities really are in the driving seat of how their places grow and develop.”
Notes
[1] Nick Herbert MP (Con, Arundel and South Downs) was very supportive of the Neighbourhood Right of Appeal, and in January tabled a Commons amendment to establish it in the Housing and Planning Bill. Alongside positive comments from Antoinette Sandbach (Con, Eddisbury), Mr Herbert spoke at length about the benefits of bringing in a right of appeal. He welcomed the minister’s pledge to discuss further ways of empowering neighbourhood planning.
Nick Herbert, House of Commons debate on Housing and Planning Bill, 9 May 2016
“It is therefore of concern to local communities that are about to produce a neighbourhood plan or have made one, and to other areas in the process of producing such plans or considering them, if developers appear to be allowed to come along, game the system, bang in a speculative planning application in the hope that they will get it through…”
Nick Herbert MP, House of Commons debate on Housing and Planning Bill, 9 May 2016
“…action in this area is necessary. The Government have taken a step towards it by seeking to insist on an amendment in lieu, which would require local authorities to identify where there was a conflict with the neighbourhood plan. That does not go far enough, because it merely reflects what happens in the planning system at the moment. I welcome the Minister’s willingness to engage with concerned Members on this issue, his understanding of its importance and his commitment to look at it again, perhaps with a view to some future proposals that will ensure that the policy of neighbourhood planning is upheld.
[2] There is the potential to restrict the scope of the proposal to relate to (a) specified types of planning application, i.e. proposals for new homes on sites not already identified in the relevant development plans, and (b) specified types of neighbourhood plan, i.e. those that plan positively for new housing development.
The ‘duty to meaningfully consult the neighbourhood planning body and take account of that body’s recommendations’ embodied in para (3) of the amendment could be included within a statute similar to the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015.
The call-in direction element in para (4) could be incorporated into an updatedThe Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009
[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/neighbourhood-planning-powers-boosting-plans-for-housebuilding-by-more-than-10
Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning - Campaign to Protect Rural England
“Campaigners challenge Government to fulfil its pledge to strengthen neighbourhood planning” | East Devon Watch
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.
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