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NALC opposes the erosion of the democratic planning system
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has opposed further erosion of the democratic planning system by voicing concerns about the government's push to extend permitted development rights (PDRs).
In response to the government's changes to various permitted development rights consultation, NALC argued that, in principle, it was against the unfettered extension of PDRs. However, it did not oppose those PDRs that will help combat climate change, such as making it easier to set up electric vehicle charging points and ground-source heat pumps.
NALC believes removing the right of local planning authorities to make decisions on planning applications and local (parish and town) councils to comment on them constitutes a further loss of democratic input.
NALC supports that Assets of Community Value be subject to the removal of PDRs by imposing an Article 4 direction, which the local planning authority makes. It restricts the scope of PDRs about an area, site, or development anywhere in the authority's area.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation contains proposed changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and seeks views on proposals relating to permitted development rights.