Conservatives consider major planning reforms

A Conservative Party working party led by former environment secretary John Gummer MP has proposed a series of wide-ranging planning reforms.

They include the abolition of the present regional planning regime, the end of the Building Regulations, the creation of a new Department of Sustainable Growth (DSG) with responsibility for planning policy, and a moratorium on airport expansion.

These proposals are set out in a 547-page report prepared by the party's 'Quality of Life Policy Group' and could become official Conservative policy within weeks. The document, Blueprint for a green economy, will be debated at the party conference early next month.

Among a welter of proposals, the Conservative Party has been recommended to support the creation of a new department - the DSG - which would develop priorities for spatial development and prepare policies on land use and infrastructure in consultation with leading industry experts, academics and non-governmental organisations.

The policy group has proposed that all spatial planning should be subject to a new test of spatial or location efficiency. It has also recommended that the DSG should carry out a Land Use Review (LUR) which would propose national priorities for large-scale infrastructure.

The report proposes a set of detailed policies designed to streamline the development control system including changes to the Use Classes Order and strong support for the retention of the s106 planning gain system.

The working party has proposed that on all estates of more than four houses built since 1945 home owners should be allowed to make alterations as they wish subject to one month’s notice to the planning authority and contiguous neighbours. This dispensation would not apply to homes of architectural merit or in conservation areas.

The working party has also proposed that the planning system should prioritise the protection and enhancement of 'town centres'. Planning authorities should carry out retail assessments which could include a 'cap' on floor space allocated to superstores.

At this juncture the working party has recommended against major reform of the existing local planning regime for the next ten years.

Roger Milne

13 September 2007