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Planning and HousingCLA Briefing Note - Localism Act 2011 - Assets of Community Value This briefing note provides a basic introduction to the Assets of Community Value (ACV) provisions introduced by the Localism Act 2011. This briefing note does not take account of, as yet, unpublished draft regulations which the Government expects to lay before Parliament before the Easter Recess. CLA Briefing Note - Localism Act 2011 The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations are explained to members in this CLA briefing note. The CLA calls on the Government to:
Rural Coalition In August 2010, the Rural Coalition published "The Rural Challenge", a report outlining detailed proposals to give local people, entrepreneurs, community groups and councils the ability to bring about positive change that will ensure a thriving future for the countryside. The report is a blueprint for delivering the Big Society in the small places which are at huge risk unless action is taken now. View the CLA Rural Coalition webpage. Planning for Change in the Countryside The CLA's new planning policy, Planning for Change in the Countryside, calls for Britain's failing planning system to be mended. We believe the planning system needs to be flexible and transparent and that the cost and difficulty of obtaining planning permission should be proportionate to the scale of a project. The system must be reformed to stop rural communities from becoming unsustainable because of restrictions to economic development and job creation in the countryside. Most CLA members run rural businesses and deserve a planning system that supports their hard work and innovation. (1 June 2010) New Planning Guidelines After years of CLA lobbying, real improvements were made to the planning application system. The Government should make it much harder for local planning authorities to demand unreasonable and expensive amounts of paperwork from those seeking planning permission. Bureaucracy is put back in its box In the past some applicants gave up because of the amount of supporting material authorities demanded. The new guidelines say those applying for planning permission should only have to provide information that is "relevant, necessary and material" . The word "proportionality" is mentioned 24 times. It should be much easier now to apply moral pressure to make authorities drop unreasonable demands. There are many other changes, including extra permitted development rights for non-residential development. Find the new guidelines: Guidance on Information Requirements and Validation and Development Management Policy Annex. Our Policy Work Reform of the planning system is at the forefront of our work with central Government. We work and comment on:
We work with the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on planning-related issues. The CLA represents members on many working and steering groups and national forums. We give members detailed advice on all aspects of planning. The CLA regional teams represent members on regional forums and with regional spatial and housing strategies and local development frameworks. Consultations The CLA believes a much more effective advice system is needed to help those who have not yet put in a planning application. It is common for applicants to be asked for £500 for a meeting with a junior planning officer who says little of use or whose guidance is completely ignored by the authority at a later stage. We are putting our views forward in consultations on the new Development Management Planning Policy Statement, which is part of the Killian Pretty reform process. We also want clear reasons to be given when applications are refused. Vague waffle like "incompatible with Policy H16" or "would damage local amenity" give the applicant little idea what has gone wrong. And we believe that when formal consultees such as English Heritage or the Garden History Society do not support an application, the reason should be given. At present they do not need to explain themselves. (April 2010) CIL is now in force Members should note that they now have three years to develop their properties before the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is charged. This concession by the Government to the cold economic climate comes after many robust representations by the rural lobby group instigated by the CLA. See our briefing note on CIL regulations. The Community Infrastructure Levy is now in force. Local authorities will be looking carefully at how they will apply it in their areas, and the CLA will be working hard to ensure that they clearly understand the full adverse impact it might have on rural development. For developers themselves there is a transitional period of adjustment. This is a three-year exemption, so development is free of CIL until 2013 - even in areas where a CIL charging schedule exists before that. After 2013 local authorities will be allowed to apply it to most types of new development. CIL charges will be calculated using formulae based on the size (net increase in floor area) and character of a development. The rate of the charge will be set at local authority level. Proceeds will be spent on local and sub-regional infrastructure to support the development of the area. (April 2010) Quick Links
Planning NewsSubmission We have submitted evidence, including that sent in by members, to the Penfold Review of Non-Planning Consents. This review is considering practice in England, and where appropriate, Wales. "Non-planning consents" are those which have to be obtained alongside or after, and separate from, planning permission to complete a development. They include permits for waste, water, listed buiilding and conservation consent, fire approvals and so on. The Penfold Review hopes to identify areas which can be streamlined. (February 2010) Read the consultation document A report on Green Belts published by Natural England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England appears to suggest that established planning policy on Green Belts should be used to secure environmental aims by the back door. Read our reaction. (January 2010) See more detail on the Community Infrastructure Levy. Past Successes Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (PPS4) The CLA ensured that this new policy statement took on board much of what we argued about the importance of a more posititve approach to rural economic development. It sets out the Government's policy framework for planning for sustainable economic development in rural areas. The policy supports sustainable economic growth, protects local markets and small shops and will help councils make the decisions to help speed up economic recovery in rural communities. LinksThe Department for Communities and Local Government (planning page) Planning Portal - services and guidance on the planning system |
Policy Contact Fenella Collins MRICS
Media Contacts Ollie Wilson T: 020 7460 7936
T: 020 7460 7934
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A chartered surveyor with responsibility for CLA policy on planning and housing issues. Advises on policy including national, regional and local planning and the community infrastructure levy. 
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