Briefings and responses

Councils are approving 9 in 10 planning application and in almost 70 per cent of planning appeal cases the Planning Inspectorate uphold councils’ decisions.

The LGA are supportive of a revision to current funding in order to simplify and take into account current housing pressures, but have some concerns about the proposals suggested as they are not necessarily reflective of current strains on homelessness services and will have an extremely adverse effect on London in particular.

The LGA does not support the proposal to include major shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. This will bypass the locally democratic planning system.

07 November 2023

"We consider that there is an urgent need to consolidate the CIL regulations into a single updated version to reflect the numerous changes made since its introduction."

There are a number of changes to the draft revised NPPF and accompanying draft national planning practice guidance that are welcome and well-intentioned. However through discussions with councils, including at our consultation events, it has become clear that there are a number of key concerns shared by the sector.

The LGA does not support the proposal for a permitted development right for shale gas exploration. This will bypass the locally democratic planning system.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities held a consultation on the Building Safety Levy between 22 November 2022 and 7 February 2023. The consultation sought views on the design and implementation of the Levy.

We support the principle of biodiversity net gain and the broader ambitions of the 25 Year Environment Plan to be the first generation to leave our natural environment in a better state than we found it.

In our response we have stressed that any model needs to be responsive to local housing need and allow councils to reflect the complexities of different housing markets.