London Councils warns of loss of local accountability in bid to streamline planning

Government plans to streamline the planning process must not come at the expense of local accountability and leadership - that's the warning from London Councils in its response to the Planning White Paper.

While supportive of the desire to improve the planning system, the leaders of London's local authorities are worried that some government proposals could lead to confusion and undermine local area needs and priorities.

London Councils is particularly concerned about proposals to relax the planning rules around permitted developments - minor household projects not requiring planning permission - and to introduce neighbour agreements. Under neighbour agreements, homeowners would be able to build extensions without planning permission if the neighbours are happy with their plans.

These proposals could lead to inappropriate developments being approved in sensitive areas - like conservation areas - with the borough planning committee prevented from making an informed decision in the entire community's best interests.

London Councils argues that only borough planning committees are sufficiently experienced and accountable to the wider community to take decisions on sensitive applications - such as those which could result in an eyesore in conservation areas. 

Therefore it is calling on government not to relax the planning laws for sensitive locations such as conservation areas - and not to introduce neighbour agreements.

There are also concerns over the proposed infrastructure planning commission's impact on planning in London - particularly how it will interact with borough planning committees and possibly overlap or duplicate the Mayor of London's powers.

London Councils fears that the proposed Commission will not be accountable to local communities, and believes it should not have the final decision over major infrastructure proposals - which should instead sit with the Secretary of State.

Speaking on the government's proposals, Mr Michael Snyder, London Councils executive member for planning and economic development, said:

"We are generally supportive of government attempts to improve the planning system - and the proposals to unify consent regimes and increase planning fees are very helpful.

"However, attempts to streamline the planning system should not undermine its accountability to the local community. Only local authority planning committees possess the required expertise and understanding of local communities to take planning decisions for sensitive areas. The government's proposals run the unacceptable risk of undermining this expertise."

The full London Councils response to the government's planning white paper will appear on this website shortly.

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