planners and housing providers were largely indifferent to last week's planning bill – most are waiting to see how the government will amend the planning gain process.
The bill, announced by housing minister Lord Rooker last Wednesday, included few surprises.

Merron Simpson, policy officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: "It is disappointing that a more explicit purpose for the planning system as a whole is not included."

When changes to the present planning system were initially mooted by former housing minister Lord Falconer, it was hoped far-reaching reforms would encourage housebuilding.

But the government's reforms have failed to satisfy this purpose, according to planning consultant Robin Tetlow, of Tetlow King.

He said: "If the focus of local authority planning departments is to enable housing developments, then we may see a change. However, I don't see the Bill achieving this as it is more concerned with local development frameworks."

Tetlow added the guidance due in the new year on circular 698 – that deals with the definition of affordable housing – and planning gain section 106 agreements, would be the "two key things".

He said circular 698 needed to clarify the issue of the thresholds above which councils can ask for affordable housing to be included in a development.

Section 106 agreements need to be standardized so that authorities stop having to "reinvent the wheel" every time they negotiate with developers.

Main points of the bill

  • “twin-tracking” and repeat applications outlawed
  • validity of unused planning permission shortened from five to three years
  • county structure removed
  • local development documents and regional spatial strategies must contribute to sustainable development
  • business planning zones set up
  • compulsory purchase orders modernised to cover compensation for business properties
  • guidance issued in new year on section 106 and Circular 698

    • Source

    Housing Today