Mid Sussex MP and Council Leader welcome Government planning reforms
Government reforms to the planning system have been welcomed by Mid Sussex MP Mims Davies and Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards.
Earlier in the year, they wrote to the Secretary of State calling for a reset in how the planning system works. Many of these ideas have now been taken up by the Government following further lobbying by Mims Davies and fellow Conservative MPs.
Key reforms include:
- Making housing numbers a starting point to which Councils can propose appropriate adjustments to reflect evidenced local conditions and demand, rather than a top down requirement
- Instructing the Planning Inspectorate to not override sensible local decision making which reflects local constraints and concerns
- Removing the requirement for a ‘five year land supply’ where a Council’s Local Plan is up to date to reduce the ability of developers to game the system
The changes will be subject to the passage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in Parliament and a consultation on updates to the National Planning Policy Framework, so will not take immediate effect.
Mims Davies MP said:
“In Westminster I made it clear Mid Sussex truly pulls its weight on planning consents with around 1,000 new homes being built each year to meet local housing and the commercial job sites it needs and ensure young people and families have the opportunities they need to get on in life. This was never about being a ‘NIMBY’ area.
“It was clear however we must also strike a better balance in matching the genuine and growing constraints and environmental concerns that exist in our area due to the demands we have already met. I’ve worked hard to get the message across to Ministers on behalf of constituents and our Council that we need to find a long term better balance on how we grow suitably and meet housing need. I’m delighted the Government has listened to the strong views of people across our area and is rightly acting on reducing pressure from growing top down housing targets which have been a real challenge to meet while keeping our area special due to the significant local constraints.
“These key new reforms will help the Council keep its District Plan up to date with the boosted regeneration focus and look to protect our communities which has also been a focus for MSDC in having an up to date plan which other nearby councils have shirked from. Meaning a plethora of uncontrolled development on our borders adding to the dismay.
“I encourage people to have their say in the current consultation so the Council can positively plan for the future bringing residents voices into the next stage of our plan so it’s deliverable and welcomed. Particularly with the new infrastructure levy which will mean people can support better the needs of our communities rather than what developers decide”.
Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:
“We are working to keep Mid Sussex special by balancing the need for new homes with protecting the reasons why people want to live here in the first place. By having an up to date District Plan, we can stop speculative, uncontrolled development and deliver more of the infrastructure improvements that residents want to see.
“It’s great news that the Government is working to rebalance the planning system and the reforms announced are a significant step in the right direction. In particular, instructing the Planning Inspectorate not to override sensible local decision making is very welcome.
“I know that communities will have questions about the impact of the reforms on the current consultation on the District Plan Review. We will need to wait for the precise detail of the Government’s consultation, but we will ensure the Plan evolves to take the reforms into account. I would ask residents to submit their views to the consultation so that future decisions can be made taking into account the feedback of residents, community groups and parish councils”.
