1 Scrutiny for Policies and Place Committee 19th April Planning System Reforms Alyn Jones, Interim Director of Economic & Community Infrastructure Operations

2 Key Government Announcements Conservative Party Manifesto 2015 – May 2015 The Productivity Plan – July 2015 The Autumn Statement – November 2015 Consultation on National Planning Policy – December 2015 Housing and Planning Bill Budget – March 2016

3 Autumn Statement November 2015 Local plans – The government will bring forward proposals for a delivery test on local authorities, to ensure delivery against the homes set out in local plans within a reasonable timeframe. Neighbourhood plans – The government will ensure that local communities can allocate land for housing through neighbourhood plans, even if that land is not allocated in the local plan. Starter Homes – The government will amend planning policy to ensure the release of unused and previously undeveloped commercial, retail and industrial land for Starter Homes, and support regeneration of previously developed, brownfield sites in the greenbelt.

4 Autumn Statement November 2015 SME house builders – The government will halve the length of the planning guarantee and amend planning policy to support small sites, while ensuring protection for existing gardens. Section 106 – The government will bring forward proposals for a more standardised approach to viability assessments, and extend the ability to appeal against unviable section 106 agreements to 2018.

5 Autumn Statement November 2015 Quality of decision making – The government will bring forward proposals to strengthen the performance regime, by lowering the threshold for the quality of decisions to 10% of all major decisions overturned on appeal. Wider circumstances, such as the status of the local plan and whether appeals relate to this, will be taken into account. Planning conditions – The government will review the operation of the deemed discharge of planning conditions.

6 Housing and Planning Bill Alternative Providers Resolution of disputes around planning obligations Planning obligations and affordable housing Planning permission in principle (PPIP) Local brownfield land registers Local plans Neighbourhood planning Extension of areas of poor performance

7 Housing and Planning Bill Information about financial benefits to be included in planning assessments Prior approval matters for permitted development involving building operations Development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) that involve housing Starter Homes Assessment of housing needs revised. Planning fee increases for best-performing authorities

8 Housing and Planning Bill Information about financial benefits to be included in planning assessments Prior approval matters for permitted development involving building operations Development consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) that involve housing Starter Homes Assessment of housing needs revised. Planning fee increases for best-performing authorities

9 Other proposed changes Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: related consents National Infrastructure Commission Section 106 contributions Permitted development rights State-funded schools Mobile connectivity Rural areas Community Infrastructure Levy Planning conditions

10 Other proposed changes Release of land for starter homes Affordable housing: change of definition Change to national planning policy for land for homes Cutting red tape review Statutory consultees Changes to planning application fees Garden cities, towns and villages Zonal and red-line planning Secretary of State planning decisions: time limit Compulsory purchase order reform

11 Somerset County Council Changes places new burdens on Local Planning Authorities which need to be taken into account. Early engagement continues to the be key. Planning consent is not the end of the development process. Continue to develop better/joint working with planning authorities Encourage early engagement with the SCC as Planning Authority and Highways Authority. Wider use of Planning Performance Agreements to secure additional resources to support pre-app engagement

Summary - Government agenda no (or little) change of policy framework combined authorities, up to date local plans, continuation of the performance regime community right to build, plan, etc brownfield focus, LDOs, resourcing

Allow an element of housing to be included in major infrastructure proposals take forward under the nationally significant infrastructure planning regime S106 - introducing a dispute resolution mechanism to speed up negotiations and allow housing proceed more quickly Streamline length and process of local plans Strengthening guidance on the duty to cooperate to emphasise the importance of councils working together to meet the housing and infrastructure needs of communities. Summary - Government agenda

Summary - Housing & Planning Bill Planning Permission in Principle for housing development on sites allocated in local and neighbourhood plans or identified on the new brownfield register; Local Plan Intervention if no plan by early 2017 Neighbourhood Planning changes to LPA requirements Planning Application of performance for majors and non majors Reporting financial benefits of applications that go to committee Delivery of Starter Homes