Yesterday at the Conservative Party annual conference, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his support for the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) saying:
There’s one more thing. Our businesses need the space to grow – literally. That’s one of the reasons we’re reforming our planning system. It’s hard to blame local people for opposing developments when they get none of the benefits. We’re changing that.
If a new manufacturing plant is built in your area – your community keeps the business rates. If new homes get built – you keep the council tax. This is a localist plan from a localist party.
Now I know people are worried about what this means for conservation. Let me tell you: I love our countryside and there’s nothing I would do to put it at risk. But let’s get the balance right. The proportion of land in England that is currently built up is 9 per cent. Yes, 9 per cent.
There are businesses out there desperate to expand, to hire thousands of people – but they’re stuck in the mud of our planning system. Of course we’re open to constructive ideas about how to get this right.
But to those who just oppose everything we’re doing, my message is this: Take your arguments down to the job centre. We’ve got to get Britain back to work.
Let’s not forget that the NPPF could be radical step forward for all industry, not just housing. The country is in the grip of an economic crisis that will be massively compounded by the effects of both climate change and energy shortages. At the same time there is currently a presumption AGAINST all wind energy schemes from micro to wind farms. THIS HAS TO CHANGE.
National Planning Policy PPS22 went a long way towards removing the obstacles put in the way of renewable energy schemes and the NPPF could help even more. We therefore welcome the Prime Ministers comments and hope the Government has the balls to push the NPPF through.