The Localism Bill, including a ‘radical reboot of the planning system’, was introduced to Parliament on 13 December 2010.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said: “This Bill will shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.
“We are committed to this because over time central government has become too big, too interfering, too controlling and too bureaucratic. This has undermined local democracy and individual responsibility, and stifled innovation and enterprise within public services.
“We want to see a radical shift in the balance of power and to decentralise power as far as possible. Localism isn’t simply about giving power back to local government. This Government trusts people to take charge of their lives and we will push power downwards and outwards to the lowest possible level, including individuals, neighbourhoods, professionals and communities as well as local councils and other local institutions.
* for services which are used individually, this means putting power in the hands of individuals themselves
* where services are enjoyed collectively, they should be delivered by accountable community groups
* where the scale is too large or those using a service are too dispersed, they should be delivered by local institutions, subject to democratic checks and balances, enabled by full transparency.”
The Localism Bill includes a package described by DCLG as ‘a radical re-boot of the planning system’. Key elements in proposed planning reform, include the following areas:
* Abolition of regional strategies
* Duty to co-operate
* Community Infrastructure Levy
* Local planning reform
* Neighbourhood planning
* Community Right to Build
* Pre-application consultation
* Enforcement
* Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (abolition of the IPC)
Other important packages in the Localism Bill are:
* Decentralisation and strengthening local democracy
* Non-Domestic Rates
* community empowerment
* changes to social housing policies
* devolving power to London boroughs
For neighbourhood planning background see: LINK
Download Decentralisation and the Localism Bill: an essential guide from: LINK
Search Planning Portal: LINK
