Commenting on the new version of the National Planning Policy
Framework, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment at the
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
"Planning revolutions have often been promised, but usually turn
out to be a false dawn, given that businesses report that it
never seems to get easier, faster, or cheaper to secure planning
permissions and crack on with development.
“The last time the government upended the planning system six
years ago, the framework was slimmed down, but the bureaucracy,
delays and cost were not. This time things must be
different.
"Business will welcome measures to increase house building, which
will provide much needed homes for the workforce,
stimulate the construction sector and boost many other firms
across supply chains.
"Building new garden towns and villages in areas of greatest need
is sustainable and sensible, but this must not come at the
expense of housing growth in other less vibrant parts of the
country. To rebalance the economy, the new housing rules must not
allow councils to scale back housing targets in areas with
economic growth potential.
"Investors, councils - and indeed local communities - have all
been guilty of finding reasons why developments should not take
place. The policy changes need to speed up the process, remove
blockages in the system and, above all, bring about a change
of mindset, to get more quality homes built faster.
"There’s often a gap between rhetoric and reality when it comes
to planning decision-making. If well-resourced and experienced,
councils can deliver quality and consistent decision-making, but
they must be willing to implement agreed policy, even if that
causes local unpopularity."
