The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced major changes to the planning system. The purpose of planning is shifting from an emphasis on the regulation of land use towards the delivery of outcomes. Local Authorities will be expected to use the new tools available to them to achieve development that is sustainable and to increase the involvement of their communities. Key reforms include:
- simplified plans hierarchy
- strengthened regional spatial strategies
- new flexible local development frameworks that will set out the local authority’s policies for meeting the community’s economic, environmental and social aims for the future, where this affects the development and use of land
- requirements for up-front community involvement and buy-in
- faster, simpler, fairer planning applications process
- greater transparency, certainty and public involvement in plans and development control
- strengthened focus on sustainability
- shift to spatial planning versus land use planning
- fast track planning consents through local development orders with design codes
A number of initiatives, aimed specifically at local planning authorities, are designed to improve planning performance and focus authorities on proactive delivery of priorities:
- Planning Delivery Grant is a performance rewards grant targeted at the delivery of improved planning services, including e-planning capacity and greater sustainability
- the new Planning Advisory Service delivered through the Improvement and Development Agency will provide support and advice, and will help to make the planning service faster, more efficient and better quality
- the use of Best Value to drive and measure performance
- local planning authorities will be required to produce annual monitoring reports on their success in delivering the outcomes set out in their local development frameworks
Communities and Local Government Planning Pages – provides national planning information including policy and guidance
Planning Inspectorate – information in relation to the Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning appeals and examination of development plans
Planning Advisory Service – provides support to local planning authorities across England to improve their performance
The Planning Portal – provides planning information and services online.
