Changes to planning 'positive' for Cumbria, Chamber says

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has earlier this week unveiled changes to the English planning system to better realise her party’s goals of building 1.5million new homes over the next five years.

Mandatory housing targets, scrapped by the previous Conservative government, will be restored and some low-quality green belt land will be freed up for construction under the plans.

Changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by Rishi Sunak’s Tory administration which she said had tanked the housing supply will be reversed.

The Labour frontbencher said her “radical plan” will help “get the homes we desperately need”, as well as “drive the growth, create jobs and breathe life back into towns and cities”.

Her reforms make explicit that the default answer to brownfield development should be “yes” and promote housebuilding at greater densities in urban centres, like towns and cities.

Since there isn't enough brownfield land, some green belt land, like old petrol stations, will be used, but only if it meets strict rules, including providing 50 per cent affordable homes.

Local councils will also be required to have updated plans for new housing, with the government stepping in if they don't.

Additionally, Ms Rayner announced measures to boost social and affordable housing, with more flexibility for councils to build and buy homes.

The government said it will also invest in social housing, with details to come in the autumn Spending Review.

These reforms, she argued, are necessary to drive growth, create jobs, and revitalise towns and cities across England.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce’s managing director Suzanne Caldwell commented on the changes: “The planning changes announced should prove hugely beneficial to Cumbria. 

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“If we're to make sure our businesses have the staff they need, both now and moving forward then we need the right housebuilding, in the right places for Cumbria.

“It's crucial that this includes genuinely affordable houses for people working locally. 

“That's particularly, but not exclusively, so in the national parks, and remember this also impacts our access as residents to the services we want and need to use such as healthcare and leisure.”

Suzanne Caldwell (Image: Cumbria Chamber of Commerce)

While many are focusing on the housing aspect, Ms Caldwell said there’s also ‘real potential’ for businesses of many sectors and sizes.

She said this mustn’t be neglected and businesses should have access to premises and facilities to expand and start.

“The third element is planning for large-scale infrastructure, such as transport or energy infrastructure.

“For these, it's not always about what we're trying to do here in Cumbria, developments elsewhere can also have a significant impact on our businesses and people, Think transport infrastructure between here and other places for example.

“The challenges aren't entirely about the planning system.

“We need to make sure there are enough planning officers in local authorities,” Ms Caldwell added.

Chambers nationwide launched a programme aimed at increasing skills and capacity in local planning authorities.

The scheme is seeking to raise £3million to pay for at least 100 people to enter the planning industry to do this.

For more information on this, email suzanne@cumbriachamber.co.uk.