Developers may ‘rush’ to beat planning reform

PROPERTY developers could rush through planning applications amid fears of possible new legislation to come in under the new government, according to Birmingham consultancy GVA Grimley.

Of particularly concern are Tory manifesto plans to introduce a new so-called ‘open source’ planning system.

It would see a limited national framework of priorities with each neighbourhood encouraged to produce its own local policies as well the third party right of appeal, enabling residents to appeal against planning decisions.

Colin Bell, executive director of GVA’s development and regeneration team, said: “Before any general or local election we often find that clients choose to delay the submission of planning applications and that Local Planning Authorities stay the preparation of development plan documents.

“Both are keen to avoid making critical decisions until the political dust has settled. This election was no different, with clients in both the public and private sector choosing not to progress certain matters in the run up to 6 May.

“With an agreement now in place between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, planning reform is firmly on the agenda.

“What is still unclear, and may remain so for many weeks, is how long it will take for the new government to work their manifesto pledges through parliament and see them passed as new legislation.

“With radical change – such as the proposal of an ‘open source’ planning system – featuring in the Tory manifesto and similar suggestions being made by the Lib Dems, we anticipate that those clients who have delayed submitting planning applications will now rush to do so, in order to have them assessed in the light of current policy.”

Craig Alsbury, also a director from GVA’s regeneration team, added: “There is much common ground in the Tory and Lib Dem manifesto pledges regarding planning and development, so this is likely to be an ‘easy win’ area.

“What we will all wait with bated breath to see is whether the manifesto pledges may be ‘softened’ following a period of consultation and the process of taking the new policies through parliament.”