Housing Minister Steve Reed has declared that Britain must ‘build, baby, build’. With two consultations under way we can now see the shape of the Labour government’s ideas for planning reform, aimed at unlocking delivery of new homes. The deadlines for responses on both the proposed National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance (DPPPG) close in March.
HTA Design has worked with a group of housing specialists who acknowledge these tools will be helpful guidance. But guidance is easily circumvented, while clear measurable standards are not. Furthermore, many local planning authorities cannot afford the skills, resources or tools needed to apply the guidance – a risk increased by impending local government reform. Therefore, we advocate that government should go further with their Model Design Codes by including core design standards that local planning authorities can easily adapt and adopt. These can address some of the common weaknesses which we observe in greenfield development across the country today.
Our report ‘Placemaking Not Plotting’ forms the basis of our own response to the MHCLG’s consultations. Our recommendations build on the proposed changes to national policy and supporting design guidance with refinements and additions to equip local communities and planning authorities to demand better quality housing and to help developers to provide it. This requires both improvements in the planning process and clearer core design standards.
We make just six key recommendations, illustrating scenarios in which these would apply and demonstrating the beneficial outcomes we would expect from each. Read the report here