The Government is keen to receive views on the Draft Legislative Programme in answer to the following question: Do you think the Draft Legislative Programme reflects the right priorities for the United Kingdom and, if not, what other issues do you think the Government should be addressing? All responses to this consultation must be received by 21 September 2009.
http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2827.asp
http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2826.asp
The RTPI has responded to the Government’s draft legislative programme for 2009/10. It
* Welcomes the intention to maintain the housing programme, which will benefit communities and the development industry, and provide an incentive to local planning authorities to maintain their forward planning and development management programmes.
* Hopes to be given a clearer understanding of how much of this new money, or if not where it is coming from; and through what agencies it will be delivered.
* Welcomes the measures to improve our carbon performance – but the carbon capture and storage plants must go through the IPC or the planning system.
* Welcomes Infrastructure UK, but believe that it can only be effective if it has or develops a National Spatial Planning Framework within which to coordinate and encourage the delivery of infrastructure.
http://www.rtpi.org.uk/item/2735/23/5/3
Heritage Link ‘slates Government’s lack of commitment over quality of place’ and says:
‘The absence of the Heritage Protection Bill in the latest legislative programme published on 30 June drives a coach and horses through the Government’s commitment to improving quality of place, set out in the cross Government strategy World Class Places (May 2009) . Anthea Case, Chairman of Heritage Link, said ‘World Class Places showed an excellent understanding of the importance of quality of place in these difficult times. It also emphasised the important part played in the economy by the rich and extensive historic environment we have here in the UK.
‘The Heritage Protection Bill will streamline the heritage protection system, making it easier to administer and understand. A more effective regime will make sure our heritage is the mainstay of local character, providing identity and sense of place for new and old communities, just the very thing, as World Class Places points out, that attracts investment.
‘In December 2008 we accepted that Government needed to focus on global economic challenges. But we know the Bill has cross party support and could go swiftly on to Royal Assent. So for the Bill to be omitted for a second time from the Government’s legislative programme is extremely disheartening.‘
Anthea Case commented ‘Heritage Link and its members have a significant part to play in making sure our heritage is seen as a positive force in the 21st century. It is a national asset in economic, social, education and environmental terms. We will continue to press through all available means for the Heritage Protection Bill to be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.’ Heritage Link will also encourage the heritage sector to express its views on the omission through the Government consultation on the Draft Legislative Programme.
2nd NPF for Scotland Launched
National infrastructure projects, including a high speed rail link to London, have been identified in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 2 (NPF), published today.
Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said the document outlined a vision for Scotland’s development to 2030. It includes a list of 14 national developments with the potential to support economic recovery and increase sustainable economic growth well into the future.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/07/02105627/0
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316698761.html
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/06/25110625
