Planners call for consistency in leadership following appointment of sixth Housing and Planning Minister in a year

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has said it is concerned that the appointment of the sixth Housing and Planning Minister in a year "does not tally with the recognition by the Government in its Levelling Up White Paper for a strong planning system".

The RTPI said it plans to write to the new Housing and Planning Minister, Rachel Maclean, over its concerns and to highlight the need to deliver the government's planning reform and housebuilding priorities.

Maclean's appointment last week marked the 14th time the role has changed hands in a decade and the sixth time in just 12 months.

The previous minister, Lucy Frazer, ended her three-month tenure as Housing Minister last week after being selected as the new Culture Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle.

Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said she looked forward to working with Maclean but highlighted worries around the high turnover.

"The RTPI has worked tirelessly to help shape planning reform to benefit local communities and unlock economic, environmental and societal opportunities. The Housing Minister has been an important ally in achieving those goals," she said.

"However, like many others, we are concerned that the high turnover of Ministers in such a fundamentally important role, to deliver the homes the nation so desperately needs, risks undermining the urgency of the situation, and does not tally with the recognition by the Government in its Levelling Up White Paper for a strong planning system."

She continued: "Now, more than ever, we need consistency in our leadership as we progress through the National Planning Policy Framework consultations and edge closer to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent. We hope that Rachel Maclean MP brings the strong leadership and consistency to the position and as ever, offer our assistance in helping to inform decision-making."

Adam Carey