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Government changes to Planning procedures.

Planning Policy Statement 4

A consultation on proposals for the new PPS4 was published today by the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett, Minister for Housing.  This draft statement is intended to bring together all key Government planning policies relating to the economy, ensuring a more streamlined and simplified focus on important factors to allow the economy to grow sustainably.

Key features:

  • Development plans must have clear, proportionate and flexible policies that intend to support the starting and growth of businesses, as well as attract inward investment and increase employment with particular efforts in deprived areas.
  • Protection of town centres as "the bedrock of our economic future".  This involves protecting initial investment in cities, as well as the ‘community hub' aspect they have become through culture, leisure, social and educational facilities.
  • "need test" removed - (regarding proposals outside town centres).
  • "sequential test" retained - (requiring developers to justify why they cannot build in the centre before they do so out of town).
  • "impact test" strengthened - addressing the (potential) effects of the development environmentally, socially and economically.
  • Further attention paid, especially in consideration of the Taylor Report on rural housing and economic development, in rural areas.

The draft does not include a "competition test" as recommended by the Competition Commission, and the Government is waiting for advice from said Commission on how to proceed.

The changes are intended to support town centre prosperity in the long term, and also facilitate sustainable economic growth in urban and rural areas. 

The new PPS when finalised will replace:

  • Planning Policy Guidance Note 4: "Industrial, commercial development and small firms" (PPG4, 1992)
  • Planning Policy Guidance Note 5: "Simplified Planning Zones" (PPG5, 1992).
  • Planning Policy Statement 6: "Planning for town centres" (PPS6, 2005).
  • Planning Policy Statement 7: "Sustainable development in rural areas" (PPS7) (in so far as it relates to economic development) and
  • Paragraphs 53, 54 and Annex D of Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: "Transport".

The consultation closes on 28th July 2009.  For any further information, please contact Stephanie Garnett at stephanie.garnett@remarkablegroup.co.uk or on 01962 893 893

 

 

 

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