The Government has recently published its new draft National Planning Policy Framework. This document simplifies national planning guidance and forms a major component of the Governent's programme to decentralise power to local people and make the planning process more accessible both to local people and local firms.
Commenting on the new Framework and, in particular, outling how it will safeguard the countryside, Bob Neill said:
""Those of you who have attempted to navigate our planning system will testify that it is slow, bureaucratic and practically inaccessible to anyone other than lawyers, town hall officials and NGOs. Planning is also hugely adversarial and does very little to ease tensions between development and conservation. These features stem directly from the Labour Government’s obsession with top-down meddling and its decision to introduce bloated reams of confusing and contradictory planning rules.
""Earlier this week, as part of the Government’s series of broader reforms to fix the fault lines in the planning system and protect the environment, we published the draft National Planning Policy Framework. This 52 page document streamlines the 1,000 pages of current national guidance into a consolidated set of priorities to consider when planning for and deciding on new development.
""The Government remains absolutely committed to protecting our natural environment. To this end, preserving the character of our country's landscape and checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas are unashamedly key priorities within the Framework.
""This new document explicitly safeguards valued, national protections such as the Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as well as ensuring measures which protect wildlife, biodiversity, cultural heritage and that tackle light pollution. In addition to stating that local plans should minimise adverse effects on the local or natural environment, the Framework also proposes a new designation to protect local green spaces in need of special protection. Far from having the potential to cause environmental degradation, the Framework will protect the countryside from encroachment and prohibit development that is clearly in conflict with its environmental safeguards.
""I would encourage any constituent with an interest in planning to look through a summary of the new Framework, which is available at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/draftframeworks… and please do use the opportunity to communicate your views directly via the public consultation.""