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07
Oct 2020
Planning reforms will 'erode local democracy', says council report
Government planning reforms will give local authorities less control over planning applications, according to a Harrogate Borough Council report.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government opened a consultation in August on sweeping changes to "streamline and modernise" the English planning system.
As part of its response to the consultation, HBC planning officers Tracey Rathmell and Natasha Durham have produced a report, which will be discussed by councillors next week.
The report says the reforms could have "significant implications" for the district and disagrees with the government's central premise that the current system has led to not enough homes being built. It says:
The white paper suggests local authorities could develop local plans by zoning land into three categories: “growth”, “renewal” or “protection”.
Other suggestions include digitalising the planning system, allowing more permitted development applications, replacing section 106 payments with a new system for developers and giving government the final say on how many homes should be built in an area.
In the foreword to the white paper, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was critical of the current planning system.
Read more:
Harrogate district MPs silent on government planning reforms
Harrogate council wins contentious planning case at Court of Appeal
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