Director of Planning, DCLG DCLG Planning Update Colin Byrne Director of Planning, DCLG September 2006

On-going Planning Reform Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act Simpler, faster and more accessible New planning policy statements Culture change Continuous improvement – Barker 2

Planning and Housing The country needs more houses From 155k a year (2004) to 200k by 2016 Planning system doesn’t build homes… Working together is vital

Progress towards housing numbers

Regional Housing Figures Adopted RPG/RSS Proposed in Draft RSS London 23,000 30,650 S East 29,550 28,900 East 20,850 23,900 (25,275) S West 20,200 23,060 E Mids 15,925 not yet available W Mids c 16,000 Y & H 13,654 16,600 N West 12,790 22,844 N East 6,000 6,295 (6,580) England 157,969 [184,174]

Number of DPDs

Lessons learnt from Lichfield and Stafford examinations Robust evidence base is essential Alternative options must be properly considered The plan must be spatial Plans should be sufficiently flexible to respond to changing circumstances Monitoring and implementation frameworks must be clearly set out  

PPS 3 - What are we trying to achieve? A more responsive land supply system Maintaining focus on brown field Affordability and mixed communities Managing delivery

PPS3 – What are the challenges Freeing up land whilst maintaining brownfield Achieving choice and mix Delivering affordable housing Rural Areas Complexity vs. Certainty Rollout & implementation strategy

…less identikit nowhere places …more quality places with local distinctiveness where people want to live

…places with real design quality !

PGS – why? Section 106 is widely criticised PGS will be accompanied by a scaling back of s106 planning obligations Revenues will be used for infrastructure to support housing growth Budget 2006: Government will ensure that a significant majority of PGS revenues are retained within local authority areas

PGS - What next? Cross Cutting Review of Infrastructure Funding (CSR07) looking at PGS revenue allocation Further consultation on the scope of scaled back section 106 planning obligations Announcement towards end of year

Key Challenges for PGS Workability – i.e. valuations transitions Bureaucracy Link between contribution and infrastructure delivery Acceptability

Housing & Planning Delivery Grant Out for consultation – replace PDG The Government believes that Local Authorities do not have sufficient incentives to respond to housing need A performance related grant would be paid to local authorities as a reward for meeting the housing needs of the community and in improving planning performance

Planning Delivery Grant Evaluation Research: Published today, it’s key findings are: A welcome for increased efficiency in application handling With improved processes, IT and staff levels, many LPAs can now focus on the Local Development Framework and on quality of service Concern at ending of PDG in 07/08 Comprehensive Spending Review

PDG Supplementary Report - Survey of business views The Report Found that: Businesses recognise importance of pre-application (and section 106) discussion, but say LPAs must resource staff who are experienced and prepared, and work consistently on a case Validation accepted as necessary, but clearer guidance, please At some LPAs, resource shortfall said still to be limiting the service offered No evidence LPAs using unnecessary refusals and withdrawals of applications to ensure targets met and PDG gained

Householder Development Consents Review 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 No. of decisions (000s) major other householder minor

E-Planning & the Planning Portal

On-line planning services 95 % of LAs now ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ Continuing to use PDG to incentivise local authorities Now need to promote with users

Climate change Increasingly important Preparing a new PPS on climate change, including expanded policy on renewable energy Focus on ensuring sustainable development, not less development Location and layout of development Development should support the reduction of carbon emissions Adaptation (as well as carbon mitigation) Consultation in late Autumn

What do we need from you? Contribute to the reform agenda Focus on quality (but you already know that!) Help in identifying blockages – Housing Supply Review Group Engage in pre-application discussions Explore innovative approaches (George Wimpey / Ashford)

Future: Key Challenges Responding to Climate Change agenda Continuing to press the case for more housing Maintaining progress with housing delivery Roll out of PPS3 PGS and revision of S106 Continuous improvement of the system and the way it operates