Planning is and remains one of the most important and difficult issues in our highly sought-after area. Working with our local councils I have engaged consistently with Government on the issue and on how planning frameworks can be improved to better reflect the views of local people.
The Government’s current Levelling Up Bill is determined to help drive greater opportunity and growth throughout the U.K.
Levelling-up aims to help rebalance our national economy: reducing pressure on the south east while delivering growth throughout the country including in urban areas which in places like Manchester have been transformed in recent years, delivering housing and business development.
The increased growth in opportunity in areas which have traditionally lagged behind drives national prosperity and alongside it a wider distribution of jobs and the homes we need to fulfil our housing need.
The Bill will clarify areas of housing policy which are important to our local area:
1. Local Housing numbers will be a target to which Councils can then make appropriate adjustments to reflect local conditions and demand - this could for a District for example include the impact of a national park, water shortage or flood plains.
2. The Planning Inspectorate will be instructed to recognise the ability of Local Councils to make reasonable adjustments to the target number.
3. If a Council has a local plan in place it will no longer be subject to the constant developer demands for a “rolling” five year land supply - if a Council has delivered on its numbers within the plan time frame this will not bring forward a requirement for yet more development.
Jeremy Quin commented “I am delighted by this announcement which will help ensure proportionate development and improves the balance between elected local Councils and the Planning Inspectorate.
We are determined to drive development on brownfield sites and through regenerating our Cities while helping ensure decision making on housing growth better reflects local factors. We will also ensure that when Councils deliver local plans these are respected for the whole plan period.”