BMF BRIEFS MPS ON PLANNING PERMISSION

The Government’s public consultation exercise on its draft National Planning Policy Framework closed last month in a welter of claims and counter-claims over the likely consequences. The Department for Communities & Local Government intends to reform the planning system in England to make it less complex and more accessible, and to promote sustainable development.

Anyone who reads a national newspaper will know it has caused much public debate - especially in The Daily Telegraph. Membercontrolled wildlife and countryside, heritage and conservation charities mobilised to challenge the Government on its proposals. Opponents reckon the countryside will be concreted over - or the proposals are a developer’s charter.

The BMF welcomes shifting the emphasis from planning being only about development control to a system where development is enabled, managed and future-proofed. The organisation asked for the NPPF to be confirmed and introduced as quickly as possible. Delays are bad for jobs & growth and housing demand & supply. Merchants’ customers cannot take investment decisions and bring forward uncontentious applications likely to conform to the NPPF.

When talking to MPs at their Party Political Conferences, BMF staff recommended a parliamentary debate on the policy - not least, to clear the air and avoid judicial reviews in future. The House of Commons held a half-day debate on 20 October 2011 to examine the proposals. The BMF and the Homebuilders’ Federation each prepared briefing for MPs for that debate on behalf of our members.

The BMF await the next move after DCLG officials have read the 15,000+ replies received.