I recently attended a networking event hosted by Monopoly Network of London at Reynolds Porter Chamberlin offices and was astonished to learn about the governments Localism bill. It was fascinating to learn the details. however, having been building for some time and been involved on a number of neighbouring issues, I personally find it scary and worrying that all planning permissions now require the support of your local community. I understand fully the intent, however, fail to see how this could work and is a nightmare for litigation and stalling of schemes.
Planning Departments nationally appear to be reducing staff, I was advised during this meeting that one known office has or is reducing its team from 30 to 8 staff. I have been dealing with planners over the past ten years and its can be somewhat complex and challenging at the best of times and fail to see with the limited resources of these government offices how they will manage to deal with this new legislation.
Planners have previously given direction on the local plan and what is likely to be approved or not prior to submitting a formal application by a developer using there pre planning consultation service.
My understanding is that these will become pointless as the success of your planning permission shall depend on your consultation with local residents, local politicians and stakeholders rather than the planning department themselves.
Eric Pickles, Local Government and Communities Sectary said
"The localism Bill will fundamentally shake up the balance of power in this country. It represents everything this government stands for and is the cornerstone for everything we want to do. It will revitalise local democracy and put power back where it belongs - in the hands of the people"
The Localism Bill becomes law at the end of 2011. The bill has split the development community, many suggest the bill will be a Nimby charter , others suggest the proposed proactive collaborative approach with local communities will herald a new era in making planning permissions easier.
I personally can not see how this will make planning easier.
One thing is for sure, the law is changing and those who adapt quickly to it will be the ones who benefit.
I can see many developers using social media in order to gauge and balance local and political views on development opportunities and believe developers will need to embrace this practice in the future. Using the likes of twitter, blogging sites to name a few examples.
Not all the 400 pages of the bill will impact on planning and the development world. However, keys points for projects as are:
Residents and communities will have the power to create Neighbourhood Development Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders. It takes just 3 people in the local community to create an apposing group, this could be just one house hold.
Developers will be required to consult with local residents before submitting planning applications for schemes. Local people will have a chance to comment and developers must "have regard" to responses received.
The government is abolishing the rights to 3rd party appeals.
I am really unsure about all this personally and welcome your views of the wider developing community and consultants.
