Government proposes three-check system for local plans

The government is proposing to introduce a three-part gateway system for inspectors to check local plans in a bid to speed up the system.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has published the consultation paper on reforming local plans promised by housing secretary Michael Gove earlier this week.

The paper said: “We are proposing to introduce three new ‘gateway’ assessments – around the beginning, middle and end of the process for preparing a plan, with the final assessment taking place just before the examination.

“These will support the preparation of plans by providing advice to the planning authority and identifying difficult issues earlier in the process. This will reduce the time spent examining plans.”

DLUHC is also proposing a timeframe of two and a half years to prepare and adopt a local plan and a system under which planning authorities have a single local plan document, instead of splitting it across multiple documents.

It said the government will introduce “national development management policies” to prevent duplication of national policies in local plans. Under the proposals there will also be a requirement for planning authorities to start updating their plans every five years.

Planning authorities would have to undertake two public consultations in the 30-month time period.

Other proposals include bringing in a requirement for planning authorities to notify and invite participation on “matters that might shape the direction of the plan, to ensure that communities and other key stakeholders are able to participate much earlier in the process and shape the vision for growth in the area.”

>>See also: Inside the council planning department resource crisis

Earlier this week, the Home Builders Federation said publishing another consultation on planning changes risks creating more uncertainty and hampering development.

The HBF pointed out the government has yet to publish its response to a previous consultation on changes to national planning policy. It also pointed out the cross-party levelling up, housing and communities committee of MPs last week urged the government to publish its “final package of planning reforms” to give clarity to the industry.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 18 October.