The planning system is not working as it should be
The consensus is clear in the housing sector that the planning system is the most significant barrier to building the homes we need. However, identifying the problems and reforming these is far from simple.
Two reports from The Housing Forum’s working group on planning identify some of these solutions, and present a road map for reform.
“Streamlining planning to build more homes” demonstrates a broad set of reforms which could help to streamline the delivery of new homes across three broad areas:
– Building support for new housing and harnessing the benefits of planning
-Reducing burdens and improving efficiency, and
-Addressing staff shortages and improving skills.
“Planning validation requirements: moving to a planning statement approach instead of checklists” reviews the system of planning validation requirements and finds that there is little consistency between which documents are required at individual local authorities.