The Government has launched a consultation on wide-ranging changes to the planning system and published proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The proposals include changes to the way that housing targets will be set. Where housing is built will continue to be identified through a Local Plan and local planning authorities will be expected to prepare an up-to-date plan showing how the mandatory housing numbers can be delivered. Councils will be expected to meet the mandatory figure, unless they can demonstrate ‘hard constraints’ locally, and that they have exhausted all other possible options, including a thorough review of the Green Belt.
The Government intends the proposed revisions to prompt councils to identify ‘grey belt’ land within the Green Belt that can be brought forward into the planning system, as well as broadening the existing definition of brownfield land, and strengthening the expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved.
Government figures show that the proposed new method would almost double Waverley’s housing target from 710 new homes per year to 1374. In recent years, Waverley has been delivering housing above the current target, with an average of 784 new homes per year over the last three years. Nevertheless, this is significantly above the area’s longer-term average, and the new target of 1374 appears extremely challenging for the borough to meet.
Interested parties have until 24 September to respond to the consultation and the council will be carefully considering its responses to all 106 questions in the consultation in light of the implications that the proposed changes would have on the future of the borough, its communities and businesses.
Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development, Councillor Liz Townsend, said:
“Waverley is committed to ensuring it delivers good quality housing to meet the needs of all income levels and age groups, and we would wholeheartedly support revisions to planning policy that make it easier to deliver, in particular, the genuinely affordable housing our communities need to thrive.
“However, we also have the incredibly difficult job of striking a balance between, on the one hand delivering the required housing numbers and, on the other, ensuring that we create sustainable communities and protect the incredible natural environments and landscapes of the borough, as well as delivering the right infrastructure and services required to serve both existing and new residents.
“There are 106 questions that we will be working systematically through over the next seven weeks to form our response to the Government, and we will then be publishing it online. This is a public consultation and we would like to see a wide range of responses from all parts of our communities, so I would encourage residents, community groups and other organisations to also share their views on the proposals with the Government.”
More information on the proposed reforms and how to respond can be found here: Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Image: Ockford Ridge Site B aerial view