Localism Bill - again an English phenomenon

The much awaited Localism Bill has been published...in England (doesn't apply to Wales) and observers herald this as a new dawn for the planning system. Here in Powys, planning remains under siege from our Tory MP, agents and disenfranchised communities and individuals.

Not much different to my previous blog on the topic but with some omissions, notably the removal of third party rights of appeal, the deferrment of matters relating to CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy that will replace elements presently covered in section 106 Obligations) and the anticipated unequivocal presumption in favour of sustainable development.

But on the latter issue, Greg Clark announced later that the Localism Bill will "establish a presumption in favour of sustainable development". So there you have it. But that is not all there is to the announcement - what is planned does sound as if the word "overhaul" might even be an understatement. Planning is to be very much a local issue with the Government setting national priorities in a single policy document. All national policies currently in PPS/PPG/MPS/MPG (to the extent they survive in the new world) will be merged into a single document, much as it has been done in Wales. Guidance beyond the national policy framework will also be radically slimmed down. The new framework will:
- hand power to local communities to decide what is right for them - instead of imposing excessive rigid rules from the centre
- be more user-friendly and accessible, so that planning will be made easier for the public to have a meaningful say in planning decisions
- make sure that planning is used as a mechanism for delivering Government objectives only where it is relevant, proportionate and effective to do so
- introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The Government has invited views on priorities before the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament - in 2012.