CLA Offers Tips on the New ‘Localised’ Planning System

1 February 2011
The Government’s Localism Bill will change the structure of the planning process and take decision making out to local communities – but there are inherent problems and steering a successful application through the new structure will require a different set of skills – according to experts at the Country Land and Business Association.

In order to explain the detail of the new regime – and to give advice to people considering planning applications – the CLA is organising a day long conference titled:” Planning to Win” at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on 15 February.

The key note speaker will be CLA Planning specialist, Fenella Collins, who says the Localism Bill will give people a far greater say in what happens within their own communities – but it will also mean they are likely to be in for a tougher time winning their application.

“Ministers claim this Bill will enable growth - but there are already conflicts emerging between developers and the localism agenda. Giving more people a greater say will offer those people the chance to say no without considering the strategic importance of an application. The Government have not resolved the issues and people need real clarification on how the Government intends to push forward a presumption in favour of sustainable development.”

She warned that the bill did not just represent a culture change for planners – but for everybody who becomes involved in the process. The Government's agenda is to give local communities the ability to determine their own future, to move away from the idea of strict planning envelopes and development limits – but the concept of sustainable communities means that businesses need to be allowed to develop in order to provide the jobs, incomes and housing opportunities that rural people aspire to.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said that the conference, which is sponsored by Stephens Scown & Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd, will look at the future for the planning system and how to win the hearts and minds of those who will hold the decision making powers.

“This event will look at ways of shaping the future, planning the route from where we are to where we want to be and how to win the argument – these are going to be the key issues within the planning system in the future and this seminar will explore the PR, political and sustainability issues that are likely to help people win,” he said.

The event will include presentations from lawyers, planning consultants and PR professionals and costs £20 for CLA members and £30 for non-CLA members. Places can be reserved by calling Sarah Fern on 01249 700200 or by going to www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents .