Hounslow Council has responded to the government's proposed reforms to national planning rules.
Published: Friday, 9th August 2024
Hounslow Council has welcomed the recent proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the planning system, introduced by the Deputy Prime Minister. The consultation on these changes will continue until 24 September 2024.
The Council supports the proposed changes which do not affect Hounslow’s housing target within its Local Plan. The government’s proposals affirm that areas like Hounslow must still meet their housing requirements as set out in the adopted London Plan.
Emphasising affordable housing, the government’s proposals align with Hounslow Council’s commitment to provide 1,000 high-quality homes for Council rent by 2026. The Council believes these reforms support its current approach to planning and growth, facilitating the progression of the borough’s latest Local Plan, which will soon be open for consultation.
The proposals also require all planning authorities with Green Belt land to review it to meet unmet housing, commercial, or other needs where these cannot be provided by brownfield sites. Hounslow’s approach of limited, targeted releases of land aligns with both the borough’s planning policy and the proposed NPPF reforms.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Hounslow Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration, and Development, said: “We are encouraged by the government’s proposed changes, which support our ongoing efforts to provide much-needed affordable housing and sustainable growth in Hounslow. These reforms will help us continue to move forward with our ambitious plans to provide high-quality, well-designed and sustainably built new homes alongside jobs, community infrastructure and enhanced green spaces.
“We look forward to working within the revised NPPF and other forthcoming changes to create a better future for all Hounslow residents.”
The key changes proposed by these reforms relate to:
Universal coverage of Local Plans – making sure that all local authorities have up-to-date Local Plans in place to guide growth and development
Reviews of green belt and ‘grey belt’, where these areas can contribute to meeting the need for housing, commercial and other uses
Re-introducing a national methodology for calculating housing targets and requiring authorities to hit these targets to meet growing demand and support the government’s plans to increase the availability of housing
More emphasis on delivery of affordable homes
The re-introduction of Strategic Planning in places outside of London that do not currently benefit from strategic plans. London has the London Plan
A greater emphasis on enabling infrastructure that supports growth
Reinforcing the importance of high-quality design for new developments.
Increasing planning fees to help local authorities support and build capacity
The government’s consultation on the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework closes on Tuesday, 24 September. Hounslow Council will be formally responding to the consultation in due course.
• Find out more about Hounslow Council’s Local Plan review here: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20167/local_plan/1549/local_plan_review/2
