West Oxfordshire urges Government to rethink planning reforms to protect local decision-making
West Oxfordshire District Council has responded to a Government consultation on proposed changes to national planning policy, backing some elements of the reforms but urging Ministers to rethink proposals that could weaken local planning powers.
The consultation proposes a number of sweeping changes to the current National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This framework guides how planning policies are written and how planning applications are decided across England.
West Oxfordshire District Council supports much of what is being proposed. In particular, the new draft framework has a clearer structure and brings together guidance that currently sits in several different places. This should make it easier for Councils to prepare local plans and guide future development to the most sustainable locations.
The Council also supports plans to simplify the evidence required when preparing local plans which should reduce costs and speed the process up.
However, the response also highlights several significant concerns.
One issue is the proposal to move more policy detail from local plans into nationally set planning rules. West Oxfordshire believes this is a step too far and that local plans must continue to play a strong role in shaping development at the local level, reflecting the unique needs and circumstances of individual areas.
Concerns have also been raised about the proposed introduction of new national decision-making policies. While these could bring greater clarity in some areas, without suitable transition arrangements they could quickly make locally adopted policies out of date.
The Council is particularly concerned that this could affect policies such as the recently adopted net-zero carbon requirements set out in the Salt Cross Garden Village Area Action Plan, with locally set energy standards not being allowed for in the new draft national planning rules.
The Council has also raised additional concerns about an overly permissive approach towards new development within and outside towns and villages and in locations near well-served railway stations.
The response also raises concerns about further upward pressure on housing targets that will already be extremely challenging to deliver as well as reduced local control over major energy and digital infrastructure projects. Finally, the Council has cautioned against ‘medium-scale’ developments of up to 50 homes being able to avoid on-site affordable housing requirements and other established planning requirements.
Cllr Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We welcome the chance to respond to this consultation and recognise the Government’s ambition to improve the planning system. However, the proposals must not come at the expense of local decision-making, nor prevent us from specifying housing standards fit for the future.
“Councils need the ability to shape development in a way that reflects the needs of their communities. We are urging Government to reconsider elements of these reforms to ensure local plans remain central to the planning system and that important policies, including our net-zero standards at Salt Cross, are not undermined.”
The Council’s Executive approved the draft response on 11 March, with the final response submitted to Government on 12 March.