Council in strong position to respond to government’s proposed planning policy reform

The government has issued a consultation on national planning policy reform, which would reintroduce mandatory housing targets for local authorities.

The planning policy reform includes proposals for an increase in new mandatory housing targets for the Harborough District which the council would be required to meet by the government.

The council is currently preparing its new Local Plan for Harborough to protect the district from speculative development up to 2041.

Cllr Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “The work undertaken so far on the Local Plan places us in an incredibly advantageous position to respond to these changes quickly, smoothly and in a way which (once the new Local Plan is adopted) will safeguard control over housing development in the district for the future. 

“Preparation of the Local Plan up until these proposed fundamental changes, was to time and to budget. We now have the opportunity to future proof the new Local Plan by incorporating the new figures and continuing to create high quality places that will provide necessary homes and jobs for future generations. 

“It will also be essential to ensure that we have the necessary accompanying infrastructure. Importantly, this will include new quality green spaces for our current and future residents alongside existing ones, making sure Harborough continues to be the beautiful district we all enjoy today.

“I am hoping that we will have a meeting with government ministers to discuss the potential impact of the changes on the district very soon.”

The government is seeking views on its proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework in order to achieve sustainable growth in our planning system.

It is also seeking views on a series of wider policy proposals in relation to increasing planning fees, local plan intervention criteria and appropriate thresholds for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

For further information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system