The new Government has made key announcements in the past few weeks which have started to shift the balance of power in local planning decisions back towards local residents.
In a series of announcements the Government has announced that it will be abolishing the Regional Spatial Strategies, which dictate a number of aspects of local planning – most significantly the targets for new houses to be built in each area (this Borough’s target was 10,000 new houses in the period up to 2026).
Changed the rules so that back gardens are no longer classified as “brownfield” land, a classification they have had for the past 10 years – this will make it more difficult to build on back garden land (so-called “garden grabbing”).
- Abolished the “national indicative minimum density” for new housing, which has been set at 30 dwellings per hectare since 2000 and was directly responsible for a “cranking up” in the densities of new developments in the local area.
Amended the rules concerning Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to allow Councils to require planning permission when a single property is converted into a shared property. Previously conversion could take place without planning permission, leading to problems in areas with high concentrations of HMOs. Further details can be found on the DCLG website.
Cllr Mark Bruntl, ward member for Merstham, said:
“These are all very welcome changes and demonstrate that the Government is serious about giving local councils and residents a greater say over what goes on in their local area instead of dictating from on high.
“It is a shame that lots of unsuitable planning applications went through over the last decade under the old rules, leaving us with many cramped, unsuitable developments in the Borough, but we must look forward and use these new powers to ensure that future development is in keeping with the area and of a high standard.”
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