Planning reforms become law

Our planning news is published in association with The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

The levelling up and regeneration bill, which is intended to cut bureaucracy and speed up the planning system, has received Royal Assent. 

It will, said the government, ensure that developments are “built more beautifully”, as well as comprise local infrastructure such as GP surgeries, schools and transport links. 

Development will as a result of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act, be “shaped by local people’s democratic wishes”.   

The act is key for the government to achieve its manifesto pledge to deliver one million homes over this Parliament, which it says it is on track to do. The act also contains measures to support regeneration in “left-behind communities”. 

Housing secretary Michael Gove said: “Our landmark Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act will deliver more homes for communities across the country and unleash levelling up in left-behind places. 

“It will deliver revitalised high streets and town centres. A faster and less bureaucratic planning system with developers held to account. More beautiful homes built alongside GP surgeries, schools and transport links, and environmental enhancement. Communities taking back control of their future with new powers to shape their local area. And our long-term levelling up missions enshrined in law. 

“This act delivers on the people’s priorities, creating new jobs, new opportunities and a brighter future for the UK.” 

Councils will be able to work with landlords to bring empty buildings back into use to “transform” town centres. 

The draft legislation has been back and forth between the Commons and the Lords. The latter wanted to ensure that National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) were scrutinised by both houses, with housing minister Rachel Maclean saying last week that “consultation will take place in all but exceptional circumstances, or where a change has no material effect on the policies”.  

The RTPI noted that the government has made “some important concessions” to require public consultation on new nationally imposed development management policies, give regard to adaptation and mitigation for climate change in these new planning policies, and introduce new regulations allowing councils to conduct hybrid planning committee meetings where some people can attend online. 

Victoria Hills, chief executive at the RTPI, commented: “This legislation brings our profession one step closer to delivering plans and decisions that will make places better. Government must now engage frequently with planners to ensure that new regulations and policy changes enabled by this act work as intended to get more homes delivered, attract more investment for growth and level up our country.” 

27 October 2023 
Laura Edgar, The Planner