Out of Whitehall

The DCLG is finally showing its hand. The local government white paper was published last month, and two days before that the department produced a list of 29 growth points, the areas that will be the focus for delivery of 100,000 new homes over the next decade.

The government considers the growth points to be a more cost-effective approach to housing delivery than the ODPM’s larger and more unwieldy growth areas, and many of the growth points are in areas where development is already well established. Still, growth point status gives the areas a share in £40m of public funding to support infrastructure, unlock housing sites and assess and mitigate environmental impact, and there is the promise of more to come.

As expected, the local government white paper paves the way for local authorities to equip themselves with strong leadership either through directly elected mayors or through cabinets. But the white paper is regarded as only the first stage in a process that will ultimately focus regional development and economic growth. The conclusions of the Eddington review on transport, the lyons loal government review and Kate Barker’s review into planning will be crucial, as will the pre-Budget report and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Barker’s findings are expected to be published alongside the pre-Budget report, and are eagerly awaited. Many believe that the functioning of the planning system has got worse rather than better following the government’s introduction of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act and such improvements as Planning Delivery Grant. Present obstacles cited by the development industry include: local planning authorities refusing to accept applications in order to maximise their chances of receiving planning delivery grant (which is based on efficient handling); difficulties in bringing through the new Local Development Frameworks; and the overburdening of already beleaguered council planning departments as a result of the front-loading of applications with additional paperwork, such as design statements.

Roger Humber, strategic policy consultant of the House Builders Association, said: “These are not teething problems – some of these problems are fundamental aspects of the system.” Karen Cooksley, head of planning and regeneration at law firm Bevan Brittan said: “It is still taking too long [to gain decisions] because the system has not bedded down and there is a lack of resources within local authorities.”

Yet, paradoxically, this may be grounds for hoping that Barker’s report will not contain recommendations for major changes to the planning system. Cooksley said: “If the government starts making major changes again, there could be big problems.” Howard Bassford, UK head of planning at DLA Piper, added: “There is an argument for saying that we have just had changes, and it would be as well to leave the system well alone.”