March 24, 2011
Following yesterday's Budget, NLP has released its summary and analysis of the key announcements on planning and development.
In the context of downgraded economic growth forecasts for the UK, the Chancellor identified the planning system as a key barrier to growth. As a result, the Budget outlines some significant reforms to planning, including some measures which echo policies previously used in the 1980s. These include the re-introduction of Enterprise Zones and a presumption in favour of sustainable development.
Matthew Spry, Director, said, "Although much of the content had been heavily trailed, the combined package of measures announced for planning today is nevertheless stark in how it shifts the balance away from what some had perceived as the NIMBY-led localism agenda. Although elements will take time to emerge, the impacts will be immediate, and businesses, communities, local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships will need to think rapidly about the new framework."
NLP Contact: Matthew Spry 020 7837 4477 / mspry@nlpplanning.com