Budget 2012: Planning move given the thumbs up
MIDLANDS commercial property firms have welcomed the news that the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is to be published on Tuesday.
Announced as part of Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget package, the framework should cut through some of the red tape currently surrounding the planning regime.
Peter Leaver, planning director at Jones Lang LaSalle’s Birmingham office said: “The government’s announcement that the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is to be published next Tuesday will I believe, be good news for developers.
“The presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ will ensure the planning system makes it easier to build new homes, offices and factories.
“The government has realised that to stifle the planning system also stifles growth and access to funding is already a big enough challenge for the property industry, without putting further obstacles in the way.”
Sarah Butterfield, associate director in the planning team at Colliers International in Birmingham, agreed. She saidthe Government should be commended for seeking to put in place a document that seeks to encourage development in these testing economic times.
“The framework reaffirms many long-standing Government planning policies and will provide councils with less room to prevaricate and will instead require that they positively plan for their area,” she said.
“The framework will offer employment prospects to those currently out of work alongside reassuring communities as to where future growth will occur and will objectively assess development needs to assure they are met in full.”
David Brammer, legal director at law firm DLA Piper in Birmingham, said: “The Government is following through on its commitment to reform the planning system so that it supports growth.
“The spirit of the changes to planning policies announced in today’s Budget are very welcome, although it now remains to be seen whether the changes will be implemented successfully and within acceptable timescales.”
