Thursday 20th December 2001
Stephen Byers has announced proposals for major changes to the planning
system with 'a new emphasis on engaging communities at the centre of the
reforms'. The government is advocating pre-consultation with communities,
an approach that Green Issues has been advocating for some four years. It
also intends to ban dualling of applications.
Byers hopes for 'A faster, fairer planning system, with community interests
at its heart'. He believes the current system 'is slow, ponderous and uncertain.
It benefits those with large cash and time resources and excludes those without'.
Key to the proposed changes outlined in the planning green paper is the introduction
of new local planning frameworks, including neighbourhood and village plans.
Covering communities down to the local level, these will set out how neighbourhoods
can be preserved - and how they need to change.
The aim is to 'encourage local councils and developers to reach out to the
community before seeking planning permission'.
'This is a new community-focused approach. It underlines our commitment
to giving people a real voice in deciding the future of where they live,' said
Mr Byers.
Other major changes proposed by the Planning Green Paper include faster
processing of applications by separating householder and business plans and
cutting in half the decision time on appeals to and call-ins by the Secretary
of State.
Local authorities will have the power to reject repeated applications
and twin tracking - submitting the same application twice at the same time
- will be banned. Time limits on planning consent will be cut from five to
three years.
For further information, contact Tom Curtin on tomc@greenissues.com or
Jacqueline Jones on jacquelinej@greenissues.com.
To download a pdf of the green paper Planning: Delivering a Fundamental
Change, click here
Achieving fair and transparent development agreements - shedding
daylight on the Section106?
The government has also announced changes to planning obligation rules in a
consultation document published on 19 December, intended to provide 'More certainty
for developers and more affordable homes for key workers'.
The new system will put an end to negotiated deals behind closed doors
between developers and local authorities. This has been criticised by the
Committee on Standards in Public Life. In its place there will be an open
and simpler community benefit policy that sets out clearly the community
contribution developers will be asked to make if planning permission is granted.
Stephen Byers said:
'With these new proposals developers will know exactly what they will
be required to pay before submitting a planning application, saving time
and tortuous negotiations. Planning obligation negotiations are often slow
and in private, leading to charges of impropriety, secrecy and a lack of
public involvement.'
The provision of affordable homes is expected to be the main beneficiary
of this approach with commercial developers contributing as well as housebuilders.
One option suggested in the consultation document is that local planning
authorities be allowed to allocate sites solely for affordable housing where
there is a clear need. The planning tariffs could then be used to finance
the provision.
There's methodology in our madness...
Green Issues Communications is a specialist consultancy that was established
nearly four years ago precisely because we had seen how projects have failed
because companies have neglected to involve communities in their projects
from the outset - in other words, to consult in the true meaning of the word.
The Green Issues team specialises in all aspects of stakeholder liaison
and management. We believe in working with stakeholders, particularly those
who can become third party advocates for projects. We have devised methodologies
for identifying and mobilising TPAs.
If you would like further information on how we work, or to have an informal
meeting (with no obligation) to find out how we could help you with your
projects, contact Carla Bennett on carla@greenissues.com.
Have you reported?
Green Issues can also help you with your environmental report - something
which the government is now insisting companies should produce.
For more information, contact Harry Hudson on harryH@greenissues.com.
What has your company done for the community?
How socially responsible is your company? You may think that because you
support local charities, or invest heavily in community initiatives, you
are doing enough already. However, most companies are unable to measure fully
the return this investment brings or recognise its value to the bottom line.
We believe we can bring real benefit to your organisation’s brand,
enhancing your reputation and improving the commercial environment.
For information on our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Index - an
innovative way of considering the impact and benefit of your current initiatives,
understanding their business value and developing strategies to increase
the value it brings to your company - contact Ian Thorn on iant@greenissues.com.
Green Issues Communications
Alexandria House
3- 5 Castle Street
Reading RG1 7SB
Tel: 0118 959 1211
Fax: 0118 959 8244
Managing stakeholder communications
www.greenissues.com
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