This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17514730

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Planning system awaits overhaul in England Planning system awaits overhaul in England
(about 1 hour later)
Changes to the planning system in England, which are expected to make it easier to gain consent for large-scale projects, are coming into force later. Ministers say changes to England's planning system, being unveiled later, will mean local people are more involved in the process.
Ministers have suggested creating a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" to ensure more homes, offices and factories are built. They are publishing a revised national planning policy framework, following a row with conservation groups over last year's draft plans.
But opponents say the scheme will weaken environmental protections. Ministers said it would simplify a complex system and help boost growth.
A draft version of the new guidelines reduced a 1,300-page document to 52 pages - the final booklet is just 50. But critics argued that a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" amounted to a "developer's charter".
The revised national planning policy framework will be published at 12:30 BST, following months of consultations with builders, environmental groups and other organisations. The government has been criticised for being too vague about what amounts to "sustainable development" and for saying in the draft plans that the "default answer to development proposals" should be "yes" - unless it compromised "key sustainable development principles".
Affordable homes 'Public interest'
It comes into force immediately, with Planning Minister Greg Clark outlining the scheme to MPs. But Chancellor George Osborne has argued that the complex planning system "puts at risk young people's future prosperity and quality of life" and simplifying it is "key to our economic recovery".
Whitehall sources say it will be presented as an "unashamedly pro-growth document". Planning Minister Greg Clark is due to make a statement about the new plans - which have been drawn up following consultation with developers, environmental groups and others and will come into force immediately - to MPs at about 1230 BST.
Planning Minister Greg Clark said he would outline in detail the tests required for a development to be considered "sustainable". Asked to explain what amounted to sustainable development, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What it means is there is a test as to whether, in effect, it would be in the public interest to approve an application.
He told BBC Radio 5 live: "The essence of sustainability is that it doesn't destroy those things that are precious to us." "If there are reasons, for example if it destroys the environment, if it builds on the green belt, if it builds outside a town centre if it's a commercial premises when you want to keep town centres thriving, then that would not be sustainable, it would not be in the public interest and so it should not go ahead."
He said it was important to encourage growth so businesses could expand whilst maintaining the protections of the countryside and green belt. He said the idea behind the presumption was to simplify a complex system - which people had felt imposed targets on them, rather than involving them from the beginning.
A draft version of the framework, released last summer, said sustainable development should be allowed to go ahead. He said if you "take people from the beginning along with you" the chances were "tensions" over planning applications would ease.
This version cut the planning guidelines for England down from 1,300 pages to 52 pages. The final revised booklet is 50 pages long. The draft version of the new guidelines reduced a 1,300-page document to 52 pages - the final booklet is just 50.
Opponents of the changes, including the National Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, argue they will weaken protection for the green belt and increase people's reliance on cars.
The CPRE raised concerns that the definition of "sustainable development" was too vague to govern planning policy in the draft proposals and local plans, which set out what development councils want in their area, could give way to a "free for all".
It also said it feared the planning changes would not deliver enough affordable homes - one of the key benefits supporters of the plans say they will provide.
But the final framework is expected to make more explicit a requirement that development should take place on "brownfield" sites, ahead of "greenfield".
'Garden-grabbing''Garden-grabbing'
It is understood that the reworked framework will say councils should encourage development on "brownfield" sites first - those already built on in the past.
The first version had been criticised for not doing so - but the presumption in favour of sustainable development remains in the plans.
It has also been reported that a new clause is likely to be inserted into the paper creating new rules against "garden-grabbing" - the selling of garden land for extra development.It has also been reported that a new clause is likely to be inserted into the paper creating new rules against "garden-grabbing" - the selling of garden land for extra development.
The Countryside Alliance said local people in the countryside wanted affordable housing and for rural businesses to be able to expand - and that they were the best placed to decide what development was appropriate and what should be opposed. Whitehall sources say they believe there are sufficient assurances for green campaigners in the new plans, but say it will still be an "unashamedly pro-growth document".
Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman, said the first draft of the changes had been too vague on giving power to communities, and he hoped the government had listened to local concerns before the final document. Opponents of the draft plan included the National Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the Earth director Craig Bennett added: "There are mounting concerns that ministers will unleash a building free-for-all that will infuriate local communities and devastate our countryside." Ahead of Tuesday's publication Friends of the Earth's campaigns director Craig Bennett said: "A strong planning system is vital for building the clean economy promised by government, but there are mounting concerns that ministers will unleash a building free-for-all that will infuriate local communities and devastate our countryside."
He said new regulations must spell out what was meant by "sustainable development" to ensure the right buildings were in the right place and in the best interests of local people and the environment. He said the new regulations "must spell out what is meant by 'sustainable development' - to ensure the right buildings are built in the right place and in the best interests of local people and our environment".
The CPRE also raised concerns that the definition of "sustainable development" was too vague to govern planning policy and could give way to a "free for all".
It also said it feared the planning changes would not deliver enough affordable homes - one of the key benefits supporters say they will provide.
But Simon Nunn, from the National Housing Federation, said the new regulations were a step in the right direction: "I don't think it's going to unleash a development free for all.
"There's a housing crisis in the country, we're only building half the homes that we need. Planning is part of the jigsaw and I think that a positive planning framework combined with the right investment framework will help us."
Are you affected by this story? Please send us your experiences using the form below.Are you affected by this story? Please send us your experiences using the form below.