A Bill to reform the planning system was given a second reading. The government said: 'Better consultation will be at the heart of a more streamlined, certain and flexible system'. Rural campaigners called the Bill 'an unacceptable and unworkable centralisation of strategic planning'.
Source: Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, TSO (0870 600 5522) | House of Commons Hansard, Debate 17.12.02, columns 729-815, TSO | Press release 4.12.02, Campaign to Protect Rural England (020 7981 2800)
Links: Text of Bill | Hansard | CPRE press release | LGA press release
Date: 2002-Dec
The government published a detailed response to a report from a committee of MPs on proposed changes to the planning system.
Source: Response to the House of Commons Transport, Local Government & the Regions Select Committee Report on the Planning Green Paper, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2002-Nov
A study examined how effective planning conditions are in increasing the provision of affordable housing. It found that land availability for residential development is a major constraint on the policy, which has not increased the total amount of affordable housing provided, but only its geographical location.
Source: Tony Crook, Jennie Currie, Alastair Jackson, Sarah Monk, Steven Rowley, Kerry Smith and Christine Whitehead, Planning Gain and Affordable Housing: Making it count, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 042
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 4.1
Date: 2002-Oct
The government began consultation on proposed reforms to the system for enforcing planning rules. It will focus on the key features of the current arrangements: the fact that enforcement powers are discretionary; that developing without permission is not a criminal offence; and that consent can be sought retrospectively.
Source: Review of the Planning Enforcement System in England, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation Document (pdf) | Consultation Document | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
