Planning debate heats up ahead of Queen’s Speech

With planning reform expected to be a central focus in the Queen’s Speech tomorrow, industry figures have weighed in on potential reform priorities. New laws in support of the prime minister’s pledge to “build back better” will be unveiled in Her Majesty’s annual address to the nation tomorrow (11 May), when she will set out new laws for the upcoming year. Boris Johnson said: “Not only will we address the legacies of the pandemic, we will go further to unite and level up the country, fight crime and create opportunities up and down the county for businesses and families to build brighter futures.” James Thomson, chief executive of Gleeson Homes, said he supported moves to encourage homeownership and lifting people “out of the rent trap”. “Any planning reforms must look to deliver high quality homes in small cities and towns around the UK and not focus on squeezing more homes into high density city living,” said Thomson. “Under the new system it is vital that an area indicated for growth does not automatically see a rapid increase in the cost of developing – otherwise we end up back at square one with people not being able to afford to buy where they dream.” Co-founder of Assael Architecture, Russell Pedley, said: “Simplifying the planning process is a welcomed step in the direction of getting more development through the approval process and generating much-needed growth in the post-Covid recovery period. “The planning bill’s new spatial zoning and design codes, set to be included in the Queen’s Speech, are the most progressive seen in years. They will help ensure the design and development of new builds, whether commercial or residential, are high quality while also safeguarding the country’s protected areas.” But not all have been convinced by the measures outlined in the planning white paper last August. Crispin Truman, chief executive of the charity CPRE, said: “The government’s proposed changes to planning would effectively halve democratic input in planning under the guise of simplifying the system. By removing the right of local people to scrutinise individual developments, communities would be robbed of their right to shape the places in which they live.” Truman urged the government to reconsider and “change course” ahead of the confirmation of the upcoming planning bill. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette Image © Matt Dunham/AP/Shutterstock