Planning Reform Must 'Move Ahead at Pace'

25 Sep 2024

Published in: British Chambers of Commerce News
The BCC calls on the government for action to support business.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for swift action by the Government to reform planning in England, to help stimulate business investment and unlock growth.

In a submission to the consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the BCC is urging ministers to ‘move at pace’ to avoid ‘creating uncertainty and inertia in the system’.

The submission says the planning system in England must ‘underpin the strategic development of our economic infrastructure’.

Key points in the submission include the need to:

  • Boost skills and experience in local planning authorities to deliver the Government’s ambitious plans.
  • Plan better for business to avoid unintended consequences.
  • Further guidance is needed on how local authorities will be required to address the need for employment land.
  • Ensure appropriate use of ‘grey belt’ land.
  • Businesses tell us they are prepared to pay a reasonable increase in planning fees if this leads to improvements in the service they receive.
  • Ring fence planning fees to increase resources and improve quality of service. 

Jonny Haseldine, Policy Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Getting a planning system that works for business is crucial to driving investment and economic growth.

“We welcome the proposed NPPF changes, and ministers should move quickly to implement them.

“Plans for more housing are welcome and will help employers access skilled staff in local communities. However, that must not come at the expense of land for business use. We need clarity on how local authorities will be required to assess the need for employment land, so business can invest.

“The shortage of planning officers is also severely hampering economic growth. We welcome the Government’s commitment to recruit 300 more planners. The BCC is also working with the private sector on a scheme to train and upskill planners.

“Overall, the new framework has the potential to unlock the planning system for businesses and boost economic growth, but time is of the essence.”

Black Country Chamber of Commerce Policy & Impact Officer Gemma Edwards said:

“We support the BCC’s call for NPPF improvements to be implemented as swiftly as possible. We have heard from our own members of their expansion plans being hampered by the inability to find the right premises or delays in permission to improve or extend where they are.

"Quicker responses to planning applications will help to promote and support business expansion across the Black Country.”

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