Planners call for bigger role for Parliament in new regime

The proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission in the Planning Bill is under discussion, with planners urging provision for significant Parliamentary scrutiny.

The Bill includes proposals for a new regime for major projects like power stations and airports which would involve National Policy Statements (NPSs) and the creation of the commission which would determine most key infrastructure schemes.

The House of Commons is due to debate the planned new regime next Wednesday before the Bill goes to the House of Lords for detailed scrutiny.
The IPC is a key part of the Government's package of reforms to the planning system which, it argues, aim to ensure decisions on vital new infrastructure are reached quickly and efficiently, and in a way that makes it much easier for individuals and communities to get involved.

The IPC, which will replace eight different planning regimes, will be made up of leading experts from the community, local government, planning and environment fields operating within a framework of legal duties set by Parliament and by Government policy.

The Government is facing criticism from the Opposition and some of its own backbenchers over the intention to give the commission decision-making powers currently exercised by ministers.

The Royal Town Planning Institute has argued that all the NPSs should be approved by both MPs and Peers before being adopted. The organisation also wants the IPC to produce an annual report to Parliament on the adequacy of the statements. The RTPI also wants the head of the commission to be vetted by Parliament before being appointed and for the IPC Commissioner to appear before a Parliamentary committee annually to explain the commission’s decisions.

The Government has made it clear that Parliament would be involved in the scrutiny of NPSs and the appointment of the head of the commission.
The RTPI has listed a number of criteria which it wants the NPSs to satisfy:

They should be drawn up on the basis of rigorously tested evidence.
They must be as location-specific as possible.
They must be underpinned by the principle of sustainable development.
The statements must consider all options and implications.
They should be thoroughly tested "through open and transparent public engagement and debate".

RTPI secretary-general Robert Upton said: "So far the debate over who should take the final decision on major infrastructure has missed the point. The basis on which the decision is made is of primary importance, not the individual or body who makes the judgement."

A Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "The Infrastructure Planning Commission will create a fairer and faster system, with more say for councils and communities.

"The Planning Bill includes the first ever statutory duty on developers to consult local communities and councils as they prepare proposals, and local consultation will be locked into every stage of the process.

"The current system is over-complex and beset with delays that benefit no one. Local voices currently lose out in lengthy and very costly stalemates. Our reforms will give local people a stronger voice and more participation in a faster and fairer decision making process."

Planning Aid funding is also being doubled to £3.2m this year, to enable more people to benefit from free independent advice to help them comment on proposals, make representations at inquiries, or submit a good planning application.

RTPI secretary-general Robert Upton said: “So far the debate over who should take the final decision on major infrastructure has missed the point. The basis on which the decision is made is of primary importance, not the individual or body who makes the judgement.”

Planning Portal

19 June 2008