Localism to shake up planning
The government has announced sweeping changes to the planning system.
With developers lining up to build in Cringleford, we look what effect this could have in south Norwich.
Let’s start with what the government is proposing. In terms of planning, ministers believe the current system is too centralised and remote from the communities it affects. The Localism Bill will enable regional planning to be swept away and in its place neighbourhood plans will become the new building blocks of the planning system where communities have the power to grant planning permission if a local majority are in favour.
Housing Minister Grant Shapps said: ”The time is right for radical shake up of the entire system. The Bill will end top-down targets - in their place communities with the vision and drive to build more homes will be given the freedom to achieve their ambitions, and this will be backed up with powerful cash incentives for councils that allow new development in their area.”
In Cringleford, some feel the parish has had too many homes foisted on it already, with a further 1,200 homes earmarked for future growth. Anne Barnes, the parish clerk said: “Bearing in mind the parish started with a population of 985 and we’ve already had 1000 homes: we’ve already doubled in size. To get another 50% again would be more than a village can take.”
Building Partnerships are developing a proposal to build a further 2000 homes in Cringleford, on land owned by the John Innes Foundation. Alongside them, Brown and Co represent a group of landowners who also want to build in the village. In their case, they’re proposing working with the parish. Charles Birch, a partner with Brown and Co said: “We are talking to the parish, looking at what they want. We know they’re desperately concerned about further development. You only get one chance: if you get it wrong, you can’t change it.”
He and others involved in planning will be watching very closely to see how the new Localism Bill could change things. The proof will be in the actual power of neighbourhood plans, which may allow the people of Cringleford to shape future development .
Tom Foxton, a spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Local Government explains: “We will introduce a new right for communities to shape their local areas. Neighbourhood plans will enable communities to permit development without the need for planning applications. Local planning authorities will have a duty to bring into force legally compliant neighbourhood plans and orders that have been successfully passed by a referendum, giving real power to communities to determine if a plan or order is acceptable. This is designed to promote development where communities want it.”
But while the new bill wants to hand more power to communities to have their say, it won’t give them the power to block development if they don’t want it. This is key point. Tom Foxton adds: “Neighbourhoods cannot use their neighbourhood planning powers to block development rather than promote it.”
One Comment to “Localism to shake up planning”
Comment
So basically communities have been blessed with all the power they could want as long as their answer is yes. Wow. Ridiculous.