Member Article

Survey says planning is a barrier

Survey says planning is a barrier

Yesterday [Tuesday 09 October] Sarah Green, director of the (CBI) North East wrote in the Journal that a survey conducted by her organisation has found 97% of companies see the planning system as a barrier to infrastructure delivery.This is a serious issue, but in the near future companies who wish to develop infrastructure projects or property may find the newly introduced National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) of help. Those surveyed are unlikely to have been through the NPPF because it is still being implemented by many councils but thankfully the system has been vastly streamlined in comparison with the chunky planning documents currently, or until recently, in use. A repeat survey down the line is likely to find a significant change of attitude by those involved.Although a significant step in the right direction, one downside to the streamlining that has taken place is that the NPPF is light in description in some areas and therefore new case law may be required to determine the interpretation of the parts of the NPPF and this could prove costly. Nevertheless, in its favour, NPPF is a plan led system based on community consultation through the Localism Act and is designed to shorten the application process and get sustainability and viability on the same team. Sarah Green is right in calling for all parties involved in planning and development to work together and be open to new methods of working. Here at JK Property Consultants we believe the NPPF is a step in the right direction and provide our clients, whether they be local councils, developers, landowners or occupiers with advice relating to how to create viable and deliverable development, set out local plans, carry out community consultations and planning applications and undertake negotiations to remove objections and barriers so that a quick, cost effective solution can be found. JK can even act as a mediator if required as time is money. It is after all in the interest of everyone that development takes place which is viable, sustainable and will deliver economic growth. If the North East adopts new ways of working, that complement the NPPF, this could be a great opportunity for us to storm ahead of other UK regions and open us up for business growth through inward investment.

For more information on the latest planning and development issues, please visit www.jkpropertyconsultants.com or call 0191 406 0038.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kevan Carrick .