"LGA advocates for the government to reconsider their decision on making specific websites compulsory, stating they should provide the necessary tools for construction instead"

Local Government Association Voices Concerns Over Proposed Changes to National Planning Policy Framework

The Local Government Association (LGA) has expressed its concerns over the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as the government aims to meet a target of 1.5 million homes.

The LGA, in its response to the NPPF consultation, has emphasized the need for appropriate levels of local and national infrastructure, arguing that without it, policies risk centralizing decision-making. The association has proposed changes to help "build the homes our country needs," but cautions that these changes should not undermine the flexibility required for councils to make judgement decisions.

One of the key concerns raised by the LGA is the reinstatement of mandatory housing targets for local councils. The association warns that such a move could lead to speculative, unplanned developments without sufficient infrastructure, potentially causing harm to both local and national needs.

In addition to this, the LGA has urged the government to revoke "unfettered permitted development rights," as they allow for creating homes without affordable housing contributions or ensuring decent standards.

The LGA has also advocated for councils to be empowered to set their own planning fees to tackle growing resourcing issues in planning departments. The association argues that increasing council planners and providing them with flexibility would help address national staffing shortages and provide better value for taxpayers.

The government's strategy includes reviewing instruments like "socially just land use" and "common good-oriented land mobilization," developing a "strategic land reserve," consistently examining the use of municipal pre-emption rights, and generally providing city-owned land to private parties mainly through leasehold arrangements with transparent justification for exceptions. They also intend to report annually on property sales below approval limits, emphasize urban development contracts and concept allocation in planning, and consider measures such as milieu protection statutes to prevent undesirable changes and gentrification.

The LGA, however, emphasizes that councils are best positioned to make local planning decisions. The association asserts that planning permission is not a barrier to housebuilding, as local authorities approve nearly nine out of ten applications despite limited resources.

The consultation on the proposed NPPF changes ended on September 24, but an announcement on when the changes will take place has not yet been decided. The LGA has urged the government to work with them to give councils the tools to build the homes the country needs, emphasizing the potential of 'grey belt' land - neglected areas within green belts - as potential areas for building.

The LGA's comments on the proposed NPPF changes highlight their concerns about the potential risks of undermining local authorities' ability to address both local and national needs while maintaining flexibility in planning for sustainable development. The association's response to the NPPF consultation is outlined in detail, providing a comprehensive view of their stance on the proposed changes.

"LGA advocates for the government to reconsider their decision on making specific websites compulsory, stating they should provide the necessary tools for construction instead"