South East Councils (SEC) has responded to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) inquiry:
“Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system”.
The consultation seeks views on the Government’s proposed approach to revising the NPPF. It also seeks views on a series of wider national planning policy reforms.
SEC Chair Cllr Nick Adams-King said:
“The Government is rightly taking its first steps towards dealing with the housing crisis – and acting on its ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years.
As one of the most expensive regions to rent or buy a home, communities across the South East of England urgently need meaningful solutions.
It is clear from the South East 1,000 Regional Monitor 2024 that the majority of residents, businesses and councillors support the building of new homes in their area.
Housing targets would appear to be unviable for some areas and it must be said that there are concerns amongst some of our members. The NPPF must properly account for exceptional circumstances.
Planning should be an optimistic and democratic tool for positive growth, yet too often development has not lived up to local expectations and has ended up contributing to net biodiversity loss.
The NPPF should strengthen and enhance the protections of our most intrinsically valuable protected areas, whilst promoting positive growth with net environmental gains of green and blue infrastructure in the heart of our communities for the benefit of all.
Local authorities would benefit from being equipped with greater tools to incentivise housebuilders to deliver the types of developments our communities want and need.
Nevertheless, we are at the starting line, not the finish line – and we are pleased to contribute, with this submission, to the joint effort of local and central government to deliver for our communities.”
Our full response to this consultation can be accessed here.
