Planning system

CPRE's briefing outlines our concern that the Government's Bill to streamline the planning process places too great an emphasis on economic development, to the detriment of the environment, and will considerably restrict local democracy. We feel the steps needed to enable planning to manage land-use change in the interests of society as a whole demand genuine engagement with local communities and a commitment to environmental sustainability.

This response presents CPRE's case for a holistic strategy to protect England's coast from ill-considered development, coastal erosion and climate change. We believe that the planning system must play a major role in delivering this by adapting to the effects of climate change and reconciling the needs of agriculture and public access to the coast. To this end, CPRE welcomes the Government's schemes to fund coastal planning and develop best practice in adaptation.

CPRE's response welcomes the draft policy's emphasis on safeguarding town centres, markets and village shops, but highlights the need for greater consideration of transport, land-use and climate change issues.  The response also calls for a greater emphasis on reducing the need to travel, supporting local food webs and moving towards a low-carbon economy, while proposing targets for the suggested re-use of brownfield sites and existing buildings.

Local authorities make decisions on planning applications in line with policies in the approved development plan for their area. Sometimes a large-scale or controversial scheme gets approval which goes against the development plan. The local planning authority has to tell the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about most departure applications it intends to approve. This guide explains what types of development could be considered a 'departure application', and when and how you can take action to influence a decision.

This briefing examines the problems with enforcement of planning controls, the impact of those problems and opportunities for reform.