Conservative Party planning policy proposals a retrograde step, warns independent planning consultancy DPP
Independent planning consultancy DPP has today (26 April) warned that the Conservative Party’s planning policy proposals are a retrograde step that are likely to stifle development under a cloud of nimbyism.
DPP’s senior partner Richard Flack, in an interview broadcast on the Property Week website (www.propertyweek.com), said that the planning system created under the current Labour government, whilst having some good ideas, has become overly complex, burdensome and not entirely fit for purpose.
“One of the biggest problems facing the UK today is an infrastructure deficit,” said Richard, “and whilst the idea behind the Infrastructure Planning Commission introduced by the current government in that it should speed up planning decisions is to be applauded, it has further removed the planning process away from individuals who might be affected by new development proposals – the democratic deficit.”
DPP - whose clients include developers, businesses, house-builders, retailers and the public sector – agrees that although the Conservative party may be on the right track in trying to redress this imbalance, its current wider policy proposals go too far.
“Planning policy helps underpin the economy, it helps reconcile conflict between economic and environment needs,” said Richard. “The Conservative party’s policy of so called ‘open-source’ planning whereby they will get rid of top-down bureaucracy and the imposition of ideas from unelected bodies with decisions made locally is fraught with problems. It will inevitably lead to increased nimbyism, leaving the development industry in an uncertain and difficult position.
“I am particularly concerned over the proposal of introducing third party appeals, allowing people to intervene in the planning process at the later stages. This has the potential to thwart development that might otherwise be needed, desirable and acceptable.
“I also question the need for such a level of involvement in the planning process at the later stages. The Conservative party – and indeed all other parties – should seek to front-load the public’s involvement in the planning process. There could be greater collaboration between developers and local communities; perhaps greater involvement in the formulation of local development plans, and with that kind of involvement later intervention just would not be needed. The Conservative party’s plans, as they currently stand, are a retrograde step that will not benefit anyone.”
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About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial. DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.
Clients of DPP include DP World, Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk