Responding to the Government’s announcement on changes to the
National Planning Policy Framework, , Chairman of the Local
Government Association, said:
“It is positive to see social rent retained in the definition of
affordable housing – as called for by the LGA - although the
definition should be clearer in separating social rent from
‘affordable’ rent which is often not accessible for people on
lower incomes.
“It is also encouraging to see moves towards greater transparency
in the planning system, and measures that try to resolve the
challenges in negotiating the number of affordable homes through
the viability process. However, the new proposals fail to give
councils the powers they need to ensure homes with planning
permission are built out quickly, with the necessary
infrastructure, in their local communities.
“It is hugely disappointing that the Government has not listened
to our concerns about nationally set housing targets, and will
introduce a delivery test that punishes communities for homes not
built by private developers. Councils work hard with communities
to get support for good quality housing development locally, and
there is a risk these reforms will lead to locally agreed plans
being bypassed by national targets.
“Planning is not a barrier to housebuilding, and councils are
approving nine out of 10 applications. To boost the supply of
homes and affordability, it is vital to give councils powers to
ensure homes with permission are built, enable all councils to
borrow to build, keep 100 per cent of Right to Buy receipts and
set discounts locally.”
