The second HMG Consultation published in August 2020, entitled “Planning for the Future” [sic – whatever else can you plan for?], proposes wholesale replacement of the existing Local Plan system, based on zoning available land in three categories, those available for growth or renewal having a presumption of approval of development once the zones are set and the Plan approved.

The Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government described the consultation thus:-

“The Planning for the future consultation proposes reforms of the planning system to streamline and modernise the planning process, bring a new focus to design and sustainability, improve the system of developer contributions to infrastructure, and ensure more land is available for development where it is needed.”

See the original consultation document here. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/958420/MHCLG-Planning-Consultation.pdf

The Society felt that the proposal was designed to reduce the level of local democracy embodied in the present system in order to remove control of the planning process away from Local Planning Authorities and into Westminster.

The system proposed would, following a brief consultation on the Local Plan zoning the entire Borough into three categories, restrict the Council’s subsequent right to refuse or make conditional subsequent planning applications – effectively removing any semblance of local democracy and accountability over the development of our Borough.

See the full ECS response here. https://epsomcivicsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Epsom-Civic-Society-responses-to-Govt-consultation-Planning-for-the-Future-October-2020-website-version-1.pdf