A top planning lawyer has voiced concern over the Government’s proposed changes to the planning regime for infill development.
At issue is the new guidance set out in the draft PPS on planning for a natural and healthy environment. This proposes that planning permission should be refused where a development is unable to mitigate its impact on green infrastructure. Stuart Andrews, head of planning at law firm Eversheds, said the draft PPS identified both gardens and informal open spaces within existing developments as green infrastructure.
He said: “I am concerned that this will create real difficulties for developers looking to carry out infill development. There are often very good reasons for promoting infill development which can achieve more efficient use of land and reduce the need for development outside of existing settlements.”
Andrews said that ministers should make it clear that “developers will not be expected to replace informal open spaces and back gardens in the same way as they would if they were building on playing fields and other more formal open spaces”.
