Confusion over local plans costs councils 10,000 homes

Three of the authorities have now decided not to complete the document because it is set to be superseded next year by local development frameworks.

The plans, which councils were asked to produce in 1997, outline how land can be used. Councils cannot approve large applications without referring to a local plan so, in areas without one, projects can be delayed for long periods or rejected. The local development frameworks will replace this system.

In 2001 the ODPM identified 44 authorities that had yet to complete plans. No deadline was set, but four years later, 15 plans are still outstanding.

Rother council estimates that 1000 homes were delayed or not built because it had no local plan, while in Purbeck up to 3500 may have been delayed. Selby council has missed out on 3000 homes, while 2500 homes in East Devon cannot go forward until the local plan is approved.

Introduction of local plans were often held up by lengthy public inquiries, often prompted by a single component of the plan.

Matthew Young, planning policy team leader for Purbeck council, which has now abandoned its plan, said: “It has been going on for eight years now. To not have adopted a plan at the end of it is significant.”

Kerrier and Bassetlaw councils have also abandoned their plans.

Wally Norton, portfolio holder for housing at Selby council, which adopted its plan at the start of 2005, said the delays had already proved costly. “The sad thing is that in the regional spatial strategy we are expecting our [building] figure to be cut and that is partly to do with past performance.”

East Devon, which hopes to adopt its plan in the autumn, had a total of 21,000 objections, mainly relating to plans for a 2,500 dwelling new community and has been through a lengthy public inquiry process. It has had to take on three extra staff to deal with the situation and says it has struggled to maintain performances in other areas as a result.