Recently the Society responded to a consultation on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Major changes are proposed to the planning system which will affect local authorities and how bodies like the Civic Society comment on plans and development proposals. What are these changes to planning? They include:
- A permanent presumption in favour of suitably located development.
- Support for suitable proposals to develop land around rail stations.
- Urban and suburban densification.
- Supporting small and medium sites.
- Clarifying the contributions expected from developments.
- Streamlining local standards.
- Embedding a vision-led approach to transport.
- Conserving and enhancing the natural environment.
- Taking a more positive approach to the use of heritage assets.
In our response we concentrated on what is most important for making Bristol a better city; decision-making and plan-making, urban density, achieving well-designed places, the historic environment, the natural environment and transport. We said in summary:
- We support the principle of streamlining policy …
- … although we have concerns about loss of local autonomy in policy-setting
- The greater weight given to presumed development and to density are understandable but somewhat concerning
- Some improvements are welcome; specifically on development viability, transport and design
- We are concerned about the future of community engagement
What we are seeing here is the first fundamental restructure of national planning policy for 14 years. A new start. It comes with a raft of new concepts, new language and new ideas to support a new system led by spatial development strategies (SDSs) and local development plans (LDPs). Planning policy might come across as an arcane subject, but these proposals mean that as a Civic Society we must change where and when we make our voice heard. We will need to get involved earlier in the strategy and planning stages as these will set the framework for developments in our city. Broadly speaking, if a development is in the Plan then it will be hard to oppose it at a later stage.
Link to the consultation:
Peter Weeks