Planning for Sustainable Economic Dev

[Nemesis]

From Heritage Link:

PPS4 Planning for Sustainable Economic Development: CLG Consultation to 17th March

The new PPS on Planning for Sustainable Economic Development aims to build on the objectives for the planning system set out in PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development and provide the tools for regional planning bodies and local planning authorities to plan effectively and proactively for economic growth. 'By achieving a proper balance between economic opportunities and environmental and social issues, we can ensure development is sustainable but continues to deliver the stability, jobs and growth that the communities of this country need and deserve,' writes Yvette Cooper in the Ministerial foreword.

This draft policy goes on to set out how Government expects planning bodies to deliver a robust evidence base to underpin their decisions. In the list of evidence regional and local planning bodies should use, there is a welcome statement on ensuring that the strategy takes into account the nature of the regional or local character. Under the use of land, local authorities will be required to make efficient and effective use of land and buildings, especially vacant or derelict buildings (including historic buildings). This means encouraging new uses for vacant or derelict buildings including historic buildings and buildings in rural areas 'as this can contribute positively to an area's regeneration, provide wider benefits, can help preserve historic assets and also reduce the need for greenfield developments'. Local authorities are also required to include a policy on tall buildings where justified by local circumstances and develop car parking policies.

However in para 19 the statement repeats the alarming proposal from the Government Sub National Review of a new statutory economic development duty for upper tier local authorities. The government will consult separately on this new economic duty but Heritage Link has already taken this up with Margaret Hodge and other Ministers saying that it is sustainable development combining economic, social and environmental consideration that is required not a single economic growth objective measured in purely economic terms, see http://www.heritagelink.org.uk/docs/JHealeyDec07.pdf

The consultation document can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/consultationeconomicdevelopment?version=2

Responses should be submitted by post or email by 17th March to Alison Davis, Community and Local Government, Planning Economic and Social Policy division Zone 1/J3, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU or economicdevelopment@communities.gov.uk