Simon Gallagher, the top civil servant in charge of Planning and Director of Planning at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, indicates in an interview on ‘Have I Got Planning News For You’, that there will be a further consultation exercise next year on key concepts in the White Paper, such as the replacement for the Duty to Cooperate and binding housing numbers based on a Standard Method with constraints in it. Simon also indicated that as yet, there is no clear timescale for the implementation of Standard Method 2, which is the subject of a separate consultation through the “Changes to the Current Planning System” document, with responses on that due by 1st October. It was indicated through the Simon’s interview, organised by Landmark Chambers, that the Government believes that it is “better to get it right, than to rush it”.
Brett Spiller, Director and founder of Chapman Lily Planning, provides further comments; “… in our view this could mean legislation not coming into effect until 2022. Clarity on the programme is certainly required as some local planning authorities are deliberating on whether to progress new local plans apace under transitional arrangements or await the outcome of changes to the standard methodology, depending on whether the potential numbers are ‘politically’ more attractive. It is ironic that such deliberations will prolong the preparation of local plans and delay much needed housing – the very problems that the White Paper sought to address in the first place!”.
If you would like any further information or clarification regarding the upcoming changes to the planning system, please contact us using contact@clplanning.co.uk