There would appear to be far reaching effects in the Localism Bill that would have a big impact (positive or negative) on the role of Civic Societies in the planning process.
My initial thoughts are:
1. It is a fine idea to take power away from an ‘interfering government’ and give it to the people, but just who are the people? We could find ourselves governed by small-minded NIMBYs, to the extent that everything can be stopped, but beneficial developments can never get off the ground.
2. If a sensible development is rejected, the present rules allow the developer to appeal to a government inspector. If “the people†are responsible, not the government, who can a developer appeal to?
3. Whilst the Structural Reform Plan is only at the ‘Draft’ stage. Page 8, Action 3.3 states to - “maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental protections and create a new designation to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities as part of the Localism Bill”. How does protecting the Green Belt (Action 3.3) link in with allowing building on Green Belt land without formal planning permission?
4. Who in the community is going to decide the location, design, height, distance in relation to other buildings, quality of materials, access roads etc if formal planning permission is not required. We know that the present planning arrangements are tried and tested and Council planning officials are qualified in interpreting planning laws.
5. If these proposed new arrangements are to become a reality will infighting result in the community due to disagreement as to a proposed building development. What mechanisms will be necessary to determine the local support for any plans and how far does ‘local’ extend?
6. Who is to arbitrate on the points and others mentioned above.
7. Is this development limited to just dwellings or could industrial units be erected?
In conclusion this Big Society approach leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I feel this is something Civic Voice should be involved in, preferably before the Bill becomes law.