LGA calls for powers over developers in response to NPPF reforms

Responding to the recently closed consultation, the LGA also called for more powers to tackle developers who fail to build out approved sites, and said that councils should not be subject to punitive measures regarding housing delivery.

The consultation proposed a series of planning changes, including the reintroduction of mandatory strategic planning through ‘Spatial Development Strategies’ (SDSs), changes to the approach to sustainable development and the tilted balance, and a stronger focus on delivering economic growth. The consultation closed earlier this month (10 March).

In a statement issued on Wednesday (18 March), the LGA said the government “must take urgent action” and work with the development and housebuilding industry to ensure there is a suitable pipeline of sustainable sites which, once allocated in a local plan or granted planning permission, are built out.

“Local authorities must be given greater powers to ensure prompt build-out of sites with planning permission and we urge the government to come forward with the outcomes of two consultations from last year regarding build-out,” the response added.

It added that councils should not be subject to punitive measures regarding housing delivery which undermine the plan-led system, including the five-year housing land supply and the Housing Delivery Test.

It also said that a standardised approach does not account for the diversity across local planning authorities, and that it is essential councils retain the ability to tailor decision-making processes to reflect the specific needs of their communities.

In this context, the LGA said it has reservations about a separate government proposal, outside the NPPF, to introduce a national scheme of delegation, warning it could undermine this local role.

The changes will also add to workload pressures from local government reorganisation, according to the response. On this, the LGA said the government must recognise what it is asking of councils and planning teams and ensure the resources and support are in place to manage this “seismic shift”.

Cllr Tom Hunt, chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “These proposals represent a huge shake-up to planning policy and we recognise the government’s pledge to deliver more homes, better integrated with infrastructure and connected to jobs and amenities. However, to succeed, local government and its views must remain at the heart of planning and delivery.

“Planning is about shaping the future, creating places and communities that work, building homes, linking with economic activity and public services, conserving and improving the natural and built environment, and ensuring the right decisions are made on issues that matter to residents.

“Councils must retain the ability to tailor decision-making processes and policies to reflect the specific needs and ambitions of their communities. The involvement of councillors, as the elected representatives of local people, in planning decisions is the backbone of the English planning system.”

The response comes as the County Councils' Network (CCN) warned the changes could lead to a “developer free-for-all”, and could “remove significant local control from councils”.

Adam Carey