The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) supports many of the government's proposed changes to national planning policy but warns that, without a clear plan for how local authorities will be able manage high housing targets, they could result in local opposition.
In its consultation response, submitted today, the Institute supported the Government's target to build 1.5 million homes and welcomed many of the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
However, it warned that without a clear bridge between the implementation of these changes to the NPPF, and the introduction of England-wide strategic planning, some local authorities could face unachievable housing targets, and a very large amount of speculative development, to the concern of local communities and decision makers.
The Institute spoke to many of its 27,000 members across the public and private sectors to inform its consultation response. While the Institute has been clear in warning the government, members agreed that the following changes to the NPPF are positive:
- Rolling back the most recent NPPF changes, as they made it too easy for some local authorities to avoid planning to meet their housing needs.
- A stronger requirement for local authorities to review their green belts where they can’t meet their housing needs.
- Changes to national policy on providing affordable housing, which give local authorities more scope to plan for the types of homes needed in their area.
- The shift to ‘vision-led’ transport planning, which offers the chance to move away from car dependency.
The consultation also makes clear that the government are giving careful consideration on how to effectively resource the planning system, though the scale of the challenge remains large.
Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “These proposals could create a more effective system that can help build the homes England needs, where they’re needed, and in a sustainable way. However, we must acknowledge their short and medium-term risks, particularly to new housing calculations that may not be achievable in some areas without genuine strategic planning.
“Planning has been losing trust in the public eye. If done right, this is our chance to regain that trust."
Daniel Slade, Head of Practice and Research at the RTPI, said: "The government’s proposed new grey and green belt policies’ success will depend on strategic planning easing the pressure of housing allocation targets. Local authorities and the sector as a whole will need to be provided with a clear roadmap for the introduction of these structures and processes."
