Julia Chowings, director in Planning at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, comments on today's Budget and what it means for planning: "The Chancellor introduced a powerful new presumption in favour of sustainable development with the default position being 'yes'. This seems in conflict with the Localism Agenda which gives greater influence to local communities. The freedom afforded to local authorities to define sustainable development in their local area will be crucial in striking the right balance.
"The streamlining of planning decisions provides a guarantee for the processing of all applications within 12 months, including any appeals. Hopefully this will lead to the speeding up of planning decisions, especially in light of the powerful presumption in favour of sustainable development. However, it should be remembered that we already have a somewhat shorter 13 weeks target for major applications.
"It is important that there is continued support to a fast track for major infrastructure planning applications. The budget confirms this will be the case through a Major Infrastructure Planning system. Again today's Budget is seeking to reduce planning barriers to development and growth."
Chowings warns: "To achieve maximum benefit from Enterprise Zones they need to be implemented quickly. Care will need to be taken to ensure that a radically simplified planning approach does not result in poor quality buildings and environments. However, given Osborne's emphasis on high-speed communications infrastructure and sustainable development it is hoped that they will be more appealing and successful than their previous incarnation.
"There is a role for business through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) to ensure that the Enterprise Zone initiatives succeeds. Creation of Enterprise Zones and relaxation of planning controls to promote development needs to be squared with the Localism objective of giving greater powers to local communities.
"Existing controls on Greenbelt to be retained but removal of targets for Brownfield development could allow a more permissive approach to Greenfield development. Permitted Development Rights to encourage commercial property to be used for residential. The Budget has announced a consultation on proposals to make it easy to convert commercial premises to residential. Any move to increase the supply of housing is welcomed. However, there is a balance to be struck that business is not restricted."
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