The government looks set to rework some of its controversial planning reforms – and the algorithm – for determining where new homes are to be built in England. The original plans – as published in the White Paper ‘Planning for the future’ – prioritised a huge rise in the number of houses to be built in rural and suburban areas, in the south of the country, with minimal development in the north. But in response to concerns raised by MPs, local MP Anthony Mangnall included, and echoing the responses of many organisations, including the South Hams Society, reports indicate that a fairer system is now expected to rebalance the distribution of new homes across the country. Along with a shift to building homes in urban areas and city centres.
We await the final outcome of the Government’s consultation and to see if proposals to drastically reduce local decision making will also be overturned.