National Planning Policy Framework: Chair presses Secretary of State
10 December 2015
Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, has written to Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to press for a month's extension to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) consultation announced this week. Clive Betts has also signalled that the CLG Committee will be holding a short inquiry in the New Year on the issues covered by the NPPF consultation.
The NPPF consultation includes measures relating to a 'housing delivery test', ranking how areas are providing local homes, the relaxation of building restrictions on protected Green Belt land, and changes to the definition of affordable housing.
Chair's comments
Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee, said:
"This consultation raises significant issues of public policy and it also represents the first changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Given the impact of some of these proposed changes, particularly to the Green Belt and to local decision-making, the Government really should think again and ensure there is informed public debate by extending the consultation period by a month.
The Government launched the consultation without warning, rushing it out this week so that the period for responding to it is largely taken up by the Christmas and New Year holidays. The fact that many stakeholders are already deeply engaged in the Government's Housing and Planning Bill, currently going through the House of Commons, suggests that these stakeholders may not have the resources to produce considered responses to the consultation. An extension would allow the opportunity for the proper, informed, public debate these issues deserve."
Further information
Image: iStockphoto