The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced changes yesterday to planning policy in England. Media response from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is below.
Responding to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said:
“This framework has the potential to unlock the planning system in England and boost economic growth, but the proof of success will inevitably be judged in its delivery and outcomes.
“Whilst it is welcome to see plans for more housing where it is needed, it must not come at the expense of land for business use. This is sorely needed to release firms’ pent-up ambitions to expand.
“The Government’s clear intention to speed up the planning system for large scale infrastructure can feed business confidence, if it can be delivered.
“Another major barrier to growth is the shortage of planning officers in local authorities. It’s crucial that we train and upskill more planners to work in our local economies across the UK.”
The British Chamber of Commerce Planning Skills Fund
In a step towards solving staff shortages in Local Planning Authorities (LSPAs), the BCC recently launched its Planning Skills Fund with support from Aviva.
The 5-year programme will develop a new pipeline of skilled planners, enabling at least an extra 100 people to qualify, with a guaranteed two-year job at an LPA afterwards. It will also tackle immediate needs, training current planners to increase their expertise to help boost local economic growth.
Contributions to the fund of any amount are invited from businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions. The government has pledged to match private sector donations, to pay the council salaries of the new planners for their two-year guaranteed commitment to an LPA. Find out more here: https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-campaigns/planning-skills-fund/
