Planning Policy Has Caused This – Can a Change Reverse It?
Maria Caulfield, Conservative MP for Lewes, recently penned an article that raises some interesting thoughts on planning policy:
- There is an apparent recognition that the numbers required may well be excessive and will need to be revised, and
- Also a firming up on the need to develop brown belt land before green field is taken.
The Article
The scale of housebuilding in our area is a huge issue for every village locally, as
developers continue to try and build on greenfield sites because they are quicker and cheaper for housebuilding. Putting aside the erosion of our wonderful countryside, these sites are not ideal as they often are not near essential services such as GPs, public transport or schools and as such put pressure on existing services for all residents.
That is why the Government introduced the Local Plan system over 1O years ago, where each area could decide for themselves, by residents voting for their own neighbourhood plan, where housing went and the type and style of housing needed in a local area. However, it is clear this system is no longer working well and not protecting the green field sites or delivering the housing we need for local residents.
Changes to Planning Law
Having met with all local parishes on this issue we have managed to get some changes to planning law, coming later this year,· which will make a considerable difference. First the issue of five-year land supply, which, was a requirement to keep Local Plans in date, is likely to be scrapped. Secondly the calculation of housing need for each local area is to be changed, scrapping the 2014 data· and moving to a model which take the heat of out the South East housing numbers.
This will move volumes of housing to other parts of the country where they have the space and capacity to take significant numbers. In addition, the Brownfield first approach will mean that housing must be built on land that has had a previous use and will therefore go a long way to protecting our green space’s.
Finally a significant strengthening of Local Plans is set to take place so that if a site is not in a plan then it will struggle to get planning permission.
I recognise the concerns about house building in our area is not because people are anti-development but that housing needs to be planned and appropriate and have the services to support it. I will keep you updated as the legislation makes its way through Parliament and as always I welcome views on this from residents.
Maria Caulfield MP