Community legal advice will be needed to implement new planning powers

Communities will be seeking legal advice over proposed new powers to give them increased planning autonomy.

The Localism Bill will give people the power to decide the types of development that can be granted automatic planning permission in their area through a neighbourhood development order.

Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark stated: "[Communities] will be able to protect what makes their town or village special, including green spaces, and have their say on the design and location of new homes."

The new regulations will draw on existing procedures where possible to simplify implementation and reduce the amount of time needed by councils to become familiar with the changes.

To ensure the compliance of new measures with local regulations and ordinances, communities will also be seeking legal counsel.

The provisions of the Localism Bill will undergo consultation to ensure that the right balance is struck between standardising neighbourhood planning across the country and providing sufficient flexibility to reflect unique local circumstances.  

Published by Phil Hammond