GWE to take lead on planning issues (From Swindon Advertiser)

GWE to take lead on planning issues

GWE Business West and British Chambers of Commerce has brought together key business interests in Swindon and Bristol to discuss the Government’s proposals for change to the planning system and its implications for business.

The proposed changes include:  Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS).

 Removal of national housing targets.

 Abolition of the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

 Incentivising local growth.

 Creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships.

Many of these changes, likely to be introduced through the Decentralisation and Localism Bill due out in the next month or so, are to be welcomed as a move towards more local control and a consensus approach to decision making.

Businesses have however voiced their concerns about what these changes will mean for the ability to plan at a wider than local level; the implications for the delivery of strategic infrastructure and the need to satisfy housing and employment demand in areas of growth.

There is also a concern that the localism agenda will be hijacked by the vocal minority to stop growth happening in their area, while others who would benefit from growth will have less of a voice.

Ian Larrard, director of GWE Business West’s Initiative in Swindon said: “Already, since the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies, plans for more than 85,000 new homes have been scrapped and build rates are the lowest for decades. There remains at least a one million shortfall of housing across the country and this is a trend that cannot continue.

“The development and generation of new private sector jobs to replace the shrinking public sector relies on housing and employment land, new transport and other infrastructure being delivered through a dynamic and responsive planning system at local, sub national and national levels. This is what The Government should be focused on delivering through its new planning system.”

For further information, view GWE Business West’s full briefing, ‘The Decentralisation & Localism Bill: The Shape of the New Planning System’ and the ‘British Chambers of Commerce: Planning Reform’ presentation at: www.policy-updates.co.uk