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UK Parliament

Local Authorities from across England give evidence to committee

2 December 2015

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On Thursday 3 December, the House of Lords Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment takes evidence from various Local Authorities from around the country. The Committee also hears from two former Chief Executives of the Planning Inspectorate.

Witnesses

Thursday 3 December, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster

At 10.10am:

  • Simon de Beer, Policy & Environment Manager, Bath & North East Somerset Council
  • Joe Henry, Service Director, Development Management and Building Control, London Borough of Barnet
  • Anneliese Hutchinson, Service Director, Development and Public Protection, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

At 11.15am:

  • Chris Shepley CBE, former Chief Planning Inspector and Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate (1994-2002)
  • Katrine Sporle CBE, former Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate (2003-2011)

Possible questions

  • What are the principal challenges faced by local authority planning departments in the current climate? How are they responding to these challenges?
  • How does the national system of planning fees affect councils' ability to carry out their planning functions, and should fees be fully devolved to local authorities? What other initiatives can councils undertake to increase their planning income?
  • Is the current national framework for Green Belt policy appropriate? What are the challenges associated with Green Belt reviews?
  • What role should the Planning Inspectorate play in the planning system, and how does this contrast with the role it actually plays?
  • What are the main reasons for the rise in "planning by appeal" in recent years? What national policy measures could, or should be, taken to help to counter this trend?

Further information

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