NALC tells government not to weaken the planning system

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has reacted to the publication of the government's Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission report by saying that government attempts to improve housing quality shouldn't weaken the planning system.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched the report on 30 January. It argued in it that the design quality of many new developments is mediocre at best and frequently poor.

The commission had three primary aims:

• To promote better design and style of homes, villages, towns and high streets, to reflect what communities want, building on the knowledge and tradition of what they know works for their area
• To explore how new settlements can be developed with more significant community consent
• To make the planning system work in support of better design and style, not against it

Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC, said: "NALC welcomes the publication of the long-awaited report. While we can agree with the main aims of the commission and the need to improve housing design. We think the government need to ensure that any implementations of the recommendations do not further weaken the planning system. I look forward to discussing this with the government."