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This desperate idea will set neighbour against neighbour
The Prime Minister pledged last year to “cut through the bureaucracy that holds us back”. He was referring principally to the planning system and as an MP I have seen how cumbersome it can be for residents to get approval for uncontroversial improvements to their homes, while larger projects slide easily through. Tesco invariably gets the nod — but good luck if you want a conservatory.
The planning system needs reform, and I worked to ensure that localism and sustainability were embedded in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Although the first draft looked suspiciously as if it had been written by the big developers, what emerged struck a fine balance between the need to protect our green spaces and the need for new homes.
But before the dust had settled on the NPPF, out popped a big new idea to increase back-garden developments by removing at a stroke the historic right of neighbours to object. It is a desperate measure imposed by a panicking Treasury and will guarantee hostilities between neighbours. It also represents an absolute U-turn on the Government’s longstanding emphasis on localism.
The Government believes its policy will boost growth, but some 90 per cent of applications for home improvements are already successful and so the small number of additional developments this policy will make possible will be precisely the ones deemed most unneighbourly. The Government argues that the policy will reduce red tape for applicants by between £5 million and £100 million, a range so elastic as to be meaningless.
Yet there is an alternative. We could have default approval for home improvements unless those most affected by it call in the planners. I have seen countless cases where simple applications have been held up by local authorities, even where there are no complaints from neighbours. As long as neighbours are notified and have no complaints, the planners should have no right to interfere.
Ministers counter that the policy will address a shortage of homes. In fact they are confusing two issues; this is about extensions to existing homes. Besides, lack of planning permission isn’t causing the housing crisis. There are 250,000 plots in the South East available today. The real issue is lack of access to finance.
Lord True, the leader of Richmond council, has introduced an amendment to the Government’s proposals that would allow local authorities to opt out. Thankfully his amendment was passed in the Lords. I know many of my colleagues will support it in the Commons today.
This Article first appeared in The Times, on Tuesday 16th April 2013


Archive   

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