Chancellor announces that Government will implement a presumption in favour of sustainable development

The Chancellor has announced the Government will implement a presumption in favour of sustainable development, as recommended by the environmental audit committee. There was concern the current Localism Bill did not have such a presumption, and several Whitehall committees and reports have recommended its inclusion.

Osborne also said the Government will retain existing control on greenbelt land, but remove the current restrictions on other land. What does that mean for AONBs, National Parks, Conservation Areas?

Land auctions of planning permission on public land are also due to be implemented too.

Plans for a new version of the homebuy scheme were also outlined. The Government has made a £250m commitment to the new ‘firstbuy’ scheme for first-time buyers, which Osborne hopes will mean 10,000 families will be able to get onto the housing ladder for the first time.

The plans also include:
 reforming the planning regime, including establishing a powerful new presumption in favour of sustainable development so that the default answer to development is 'yes'
 opening up more land for development by removing nationally imposed targets, while maintaining the greenbelt
 piloting new land auctions, starting with public sector land
 streamlining planning applications, including a 12 month guarantee for processing all applications and appeals and a fast track for major infrastructure projects
 a consultation on proposals to make it easier to convert commercial premises to residential

Great changes lie ahead in planning. Trouble is all this negativity could undermine confidence in the planning system.