Lord Falconer has confirmed that a review of planning gain will be included in the forthcoming planning Green Paper.
The planning minister was speaking at the Planning Summer School at Exeter University – the first of four regional seminars to discuss reform of the planning system in the run-up to the Green Paper.
Lord Falconer said that “the time has come for fundamental change”, to ensure that the planning system does not stifle business and hinder the provision of affordable housing. ”It is important to use the planning system and section 106 agreements to increase the provision of affordable housing,” he said.
“We have been saying for some time that there will be a consultation paper on the operation of the planning obligation arrangements. I now think that this will form part of the Green Paper ‘package’.
“I can see no justification whatsoever for treating section 106 agreements as hidden deals done in smoke-filled rooms. They have to be open and transparent.”
The proposal to separate commercial and householder applications, a key element of the recent CBI submission on planning, was also mentioned in the speech.
“One of the options is to prioritise applications more. Perhaps getting a clearer target for dealing with business, as opposed to householder applications,” said the minister.
Falconer also said: “We are looking at whether there are adequate funds going into the planning system at local level. There is also the question of whether local authorities are according planning the sufficient priority in relation to their other services.”
Huw Moseley, national planning director at Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “There’s nothing much new here, but it’s good to see that everyone is at least singing the same tune.”
EGi News 12/09/01
