Housing industry body the British Property Federation (BPF) has today welcomed Government plans to shake up planning policy.
Publication of the Government’s draft Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development, the BPF said, would get development back on track and ensure protection for the environment in planning.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is today publishing Planning Minister Greg Clark’s plan for an overhaul of current policy.
The BPF said presumption in favour of sustainable development would mean every local council should be made to plan positively for new development, prepare plans on the basis that objectively assessed development needs should be met and quickly approve development proposals that accord with plans.
Liz Peace, BPF chief executive, said: “The proposed presumption in favour of sustainable development sends a powerful message that allowing development to take place should be the default position where proposed development is in line with a local plan.
“It also incentivises local authorities to produce and keep up to date their local plans – a welcome discipline.
“But the presumption is not simply a green light for development. It will still have to be exercised within the protections afforded by national planning policy and community-led local plans.”
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