The government has published a new planning White Paper to shake up the English planning system.

The White Paper proposes that a new local process would determine the planning status of each part of the district. This would be done at the beginning as part of the local Plan. There would be three types of area – growth, renewal and protected.

• Growth areas would be allocated for substantial development and planning permission would be granted as part of the local plan with only details to be subsequently approved.
• Renewal areas would be deemed suitable for development with a presumption in favour of planning permission being granted.
• Protected areas would replace things like the green belt with planning applications being considered in a similar way to the current system.

There are also proposals to change the way in which developers contribute to vital infrastructure such as schools and roads. The way in which contributions would  be levied would be determined by central government.

These changes to the local planning process have raised concerns about a loss of local input and community participation in the planning process .

The Parish Council will be responding to the consultation because it thinks that the changes proposed will reduce the opportunities for local communities to influence both the district wide local plan and the consideration of individual planning applications.

For further information

Planning for the future survey closes on 29th October, click here to participate