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

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

3. 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

4. Progress towards housing numbers

5. 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]

6. Number of DPDs

7. 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  

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. …places with real design quality !

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Householder Development Consents Review50
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

19. E-Planning & the Planning Portal

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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)

23. 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