Last night, MPs in the House of Commons considered amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that were added by Peers in the House of Lords. Various issues were covered, including a number of priorities for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
These priorities would have given communities a greater say over planning policy in their area, improve England’s planning services and drive local levelling up and environmental outcomes for communities.
Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute said: “Following the votes on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the commons, the RTPI is disappointed that new nationally imposed planning policies are not likely to receive the same level of public consultation as local plans and will not be scrutinised to the same degree as similar policies for nationally-significant infrastructure.
“We’re also concerned that MPs voted against the return of virtual planning committee meetings. This result not only undermines the profession’s ability to modernise and encourage wider public participation in planning and planning decisions, it goes against the grain of digital engagement and inclusivity in placemaking.
“Without these important clauses in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, we worry that these reforms will not produce a more democratic, transparent and community-led planning system. This is a missed opportunity to transform our planning system for the greater good of society.
“We urgently call on Lords to challenge the Government’s approach to protect the important principle that planning decisions must remain local and as accessible as possible to the public.”
Politicians, RTPI members and the public can find out more about the RTPI’s understanding of the government’s proposed planning reforms and how we expect they’ll impact planning policy and practice here: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-research/planning-reform-national-planning-policy/
