REFORM OF THE PLANNING SYSTEM AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT LEWES DISTRICT

1. REFORM OF THE PLANNING SYSTEM AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT LEWES DISTRICT LDC/LDALC Town & Parish Councils Conference October 2011 Lindsay Frost Director of Planning & Environmental Services

2. 1 Planning Reform: Haven’t we been here before? • Yes, many times • Planning system established by 1947 Town & Country Planning Act with major reforms in 1962, 1971, 1980, 1990, 2004 and 2008 • Countless minor amending legislation, statutory instruments, departmental circulars, national planning policy guidance notes, in between major reforms

3. 2 The Last Round of Reforms: 2004 - 2008 • Regional Plans and Local Development Frameworks • Top down targets and inspection regime • Infrastructure Planning Commissionto decide applications for nationallyimportant infrastructure • Community Infrastructure Levy

4. 3 The Coalition Government’s Critique • Too much power in Whitehall and at regional level • Top down targets not working: causing local resentment and failing to deliver growth • “Planning system too slow, cumbersome and bureaucratic”

5. 4 The Coalition Government’s Prescription • “Localism, Localism, Localism” • Less Whitehall controls and targets • Abolish regional planning • Shift power to local councils and communities • Speed up and simplify planning • Incentivise growth

6. 5 The Localism Bill • Key piece of legislation for the Coalition: supported by both Cons and LDs. • Wide ranging: not just planning • Bill now in Lords • Royal Assent expected in November 2011 • Detailed regulations to follow onspecific reforms

7. 6 Planning Reforms: Decentralisation • Targets and inspection regime being dismantled • Regional Spatial Strategies (South East Plan) to be abolished • RSS still in force until abolition: evidence base and technical work still useful • Duty to co-operate between local authorities • IPC brought within Government to providepolitical accountability

8. 7 Planning Reforms: Development Plans • LDFs stay, but focus on Core Strategy • Introduction of neighbourhood planning • Prepared by T & P Councils, Neighbourhood Forums • Need to comply with national policy/LDF • Based on evidence and local consultation • Examination by independent inspector • Subject to binding referendum • Will have statutory force • Major new opportunity for local people to shape planning in their area

9. 8 Planning Reforms: Streamlining The System • Draft National Planning Policy Framework: 1000+ pages down to 50 pages • Taking categories of development out of planning control • Local Development Orders • Neighbourhood Development Orders • Campus sites – hospitals, universities • Micro generation

10. Business buildings to residential • Other reforms of Use Classes Order • Predetermination and predisposition • Third party appeals considered, but rejected • Reforms to make enforcement of planning control easier

11. 9 Incentivising Growth • Giving local control through neighbourhood planning • New Homes Bonus – match funding Council tax receipts for up to six years • Community Infrastructure Levy: developer contributions to infrastructure

12. 10 Effect on planning in Lewes District • Essential to progress LDF Core Strategy: adopt early 2013 • Work can begin on neighbourhood plans: start thinking now • Progress CIL to ensure that development is supported by necessary infrastructure • Loosening of planning control in some areas • Resources to deliver the new planning system, especially at neighbourhood level

13. 11 Thank you for Listening Any Questions? Lindsay Frost Tel: 01273 484 437 E-mail: lindsay.frost@lewes.gov.uk