1

Trends and support

• Supporting progress towards getting Local Plans in place a key Departmental priority.

• Working closely with the Planning Inspectorate and the Planning Advisory Service to ensure that support to Local Planning Authorities is coordinated and targeted to where it is most needed and effective.

• This work takes account of the spatial dynamics of Local Plan progress, and integrates with work supporting the Duty to Cooperate in practice

2

How is the reformed planning system supporting sustainable growth?

Increased Permitted

Development Rights

A SIMPLIFIED SYSTEM

DELIVERING FASTER

PLANNING DECISIONS

Focus on Decision Making

262 prior approval

applications

100 new dwellings

Growth and Infrastructure Act Section 1

Performance has increased

3

Increased speed of planning decisions across all categories of

development

6356 54

44

7068

0

20

40

60

80

100

Ap

r-Ju

n

Jul-

Se

p

Oct

-De

c

Jan

-Ma

r

Ap

r-Ju

n

Jul-

Se

p

Oct

-De

c

Jan

-Ma

r

Ap

r-Ju

n

Jul-

Se

p

Oct

-De

c

Jan

-Ma

r

Ap

r-Ju

n

Jul-

Se

p

Oct

-De

c

Jan

-Ma

r

Ap

r-Ju

n

Jul-

Se

p

Oct

-De

c

Jan

-Ma

r

Ap

r-Ju

n

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Major (% in 13 weeks) Major Housing (% in 13 weeks) Minor (% in 8 weeks)

4

A Transparent and Community Driven Planning System

Neighbourhood Plans

“Neighbourhood planning is an incredibly important new right and one that provides a real opportunity for people to bring about the homes, shops and facilities they want to see to make their community thrive.”

Nick Boles MP

5

A Transparent and Community Driven Planning System

Thame Neighbourhood Plan: Community Driven Planning in Action

• 1st to allocate sites for new homes and

businesses

• 76% ‘yes’ vote

• 40% turnout

• 775 new homes

• New transport links

• Supporting high streets

6

Discovering how growth is embraced

Evidence examined

Empowered community

Acceptable solution

Part of Local Plan

Carries real weight

in planning decisions

Transparent Plan Making Sustainable Development

7

A Plan Led System – Delivering Sustainable Growth

New homes approvals Approval rates

Applications Planning approvals

Construction activity

30,000 new homes started in the quarter to June 2013

More new housing being built: up from £8.5 billion in 2009 to £16.0 billion in 2012

A simpler planning system - building the homes the next generation needs

8

What Next?

9

A Vision for Future Sustainable Growth

Deregulation and Simplification• Red Tape Challenge • Growth and Infrastructure Act

Local Plans• Increased Coverage • Good Quality

Supporting Businesses to Invest Locally • Community Infrastructure Levy • Surplus Land• Business Rates Retention • Permitted Development Rights

Looking Ahead

10

Any Questions?

Sustainable Growth and the Plan Led System