The Planning for the Future White Paper tables some bold measures to revolutionise the approach and procedures to development in England. The failings of an all too complex system are plain to see, but will the future be brighter? There has been much debate but the time to make your views heard is nigh – consultation closes at 11:45pm on 29 October 2020.
Alan Davies, Associate Director has been grappling with the proposals and has utilised his considerable planning knowledge to assist others form their own views. Alan recently helped Swanage Town Council understand what the proposals might mean for them. Niki Clark, Administration and Communications Manager said: ‘On behalf of the Town Council I would like to thank you for taking time out to attend our meeting yesterday evening, and for your invaluable help, guidance and input at the meeting. It was very much appreciated, gave Councillors a better understanding of the document, and has helped to inform their responses to this very important consultation.’
Alan commented “there all sorts of little nuggets pepper potted throughout the document which do not seem to have been picked up by the mainstream press – for example, a suggestion that in order to free up local authority conservation specialists, suitably experienced architectural specialists can earn autonomy from routine listed building consent applications – this suggests that certain works to listed buildings could be approved by accredited persons – is this the same as the accredited installer scheme for things such as log burners? So much detail needs to be added to the bare bones of ideas that have been put forward – as ever, the devil will be in the detail. The government suggest the changes will free up planning staff – the RTPI say £500 million needs to be spent on planning departments in order to meet the government ambitions – quite a difference in viewpoints!”
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