Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

Reasons to be cheerful this week with the announcement of a new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. A charter setting out the aims to improve the planning system and give communities a voice in defining what they want.

The focus – improving productivity, improving well-being, closing the gap between regions, pride in place and devolution opportunities for all parts of England .

Of the many highlights, we are particularly encouraged as town planners that “good design” has been recognised as one of the significant planks on which the Bill is based. Similarly, how empowerment for local communities is placed front and centre on all the reforms proposed. All of which is good but it's not going to be plain sailing by any stretch. Who exactly is going to implement these changes? The practical ramifications of what this Bill proposes are enormous, with the weight of changes falling on local authority planning teams. The opportunity for additional resources through increases in planning fees is welcome BUT will that deliver the much-needed enhancement in capacity?

This is one of the biggest “work in progress” projects that the Government has set out in recent times with a detailed programme of technical consultation now underway. We intend to hold its belt with detailed commentary and opinion pieces on its five key initiatives:

• Infrastructure Levy - A locally set, non-negotiable levy to deliver infrastructure that communities need.

• Environmental Outcomes Report - A new approach to environmental assessment.

• Local Development Plans - A simplified and standard process for local plans so that they are produced more quickly and are easier for communities to influence.

• Devolved Powers - A new model of combined authority to provide local leaders with powers to enhance local accountability, join up services and provide transparent decision making to rejuvenate their communities.

• Design Codes - to let local communities set rules about layout and ‘street votes’ on proposed extensions.