NALC champions a democratic and sustainable planning system

We have urged the government to prioritise local democracy, sustainability, and accountability in its proposed reforms to planning committees.

In our response to the government's consultation on proposals around the delegation of planning functions, the size and composition of planning committees and mandatory training for members of planning committees, we highlighted the need for a strong, community-led planning system that empowers parish and town councils and protects the integrity of local places.

We support changes to the planning system that will lead to more effective, transparent, and community-focused decision-making. However, it will not support reforms that risk undermining local democracy or weakening the influence of parish and town councils.

We are calling for a requirement on local planning authorities to ensure robust enforcement of Section 106 agreements and planning conditions, to hold developers to account and maintain community trust.

The planning system must be built on the principles of sustainability, balancing environmental, social, and economic factors equally. We have urged the government to ensure these pillars guide all planning committee reforms.

Our other key positions include supporting the introduction of mandatory training for members of planning committees to ensure decisions are well-informed and in line with local and national planning frameworks, and that parish and town councils must be consulted on the content of new or renegotiated Section 106 agreements. We also believe parish and town councils should have greater freedom to spend developer contributions on local leisure and recreation priorities. We do not support an across-the-board extension of permitted development rights. Local planning authorities and neighbourhood planning groups must retain the right to determine appropriate development standards and policies locally.

We will continue to engage with the government to champion a fair and community-led planning system that empowers parish and town councils and delivers quality development for the benefit of all.