Permitted development reforms do not go far enough, CIC warns
The Government's proposed revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework fall short, according to the Construction Industry Council (CIC), prompting it to urge reform of approved development rights.
The National Planning Policy Framework is a land-use planning policy in England devised by the Conservative Government in 2012. It was revised last year in response to the Levelling Up Bill, but the new Labour Government wants to to take a different, growth-focused approach by amending the planning framework. Specifically, it champions retaining and re-using existing buildings before pursuing other development options.
However, the CIC is pleading with the government to increase funding for strategic planning and fortify its support of 'retrofit first'. It said it "backs many reforms and is hugely supportive of the government's ambition to accelerate housebuilding" but believes many schemes will remain unviable, making it impossible to realise this ambition without additional funding for affordable housing in the budget.
The Head of CIC's Housing Panel, professor Tony Crook CBE, said although it welcomes what the Government is doing to accelerate housebuilding, "without extra funding for affordable housing in the budget this ambition could not be realised as many schemes will remain unviable".
In its response to the Government's consultation, concerns have been highlighted about the government’s proposals, including:
- A failure to address the poor quality that often characterises housing created under Permitted Development Rights (PDR).
- The need to tackle resources in planning after so many years of underfunding.
- The policy of "encouraging" the reuse of existing resources including the conversion of existing buildings is insufficiently strongly worded in the NPPF.
"The newly planned homes are expected to face some of the most severe and long-lasting impacts of climate change making it imperative that they are designed to be both resilient and low carbon," said Mina Hasman, Chair of CIC’s Climate Change Committee. "It is therefore, critical that our planning policies support homes built to an ambitious Future Homes Standard and drive the successful adoption of Blue-Green Infrastructure including SuDS.
"The policy of encouraging the reuse of existing resources within the NPPF should be strengthened to better incentivise retrofitting, improve design solutions, and dramatically reduce waste and carbon emissions in line with government’s stated commitment to a more circular economy."
CIC also highlighted the skills shortage across many professionals and trades, which it said needs urgent addressing for house building targets to be met. The UK government recently announced reforms to apprenticeships with a new growth and skills levy.