Kevan Carrick, co-founder of JK Property Consultants LLP, comments on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill which is out for consultation.
The proposed changes must have a profound impact on the delivery of economic growth and regeneration in the North East.
To achieve this profound impact, a change to the national planning policy is required. It has long been acknowledged that speeding up the planning process is essential to allow the necessary development to achieve the effective delivery of levelling-up and economic regeneration.
As I and many others operating within the property sector see it, two important limbs need to change.
In policy terms, to ensure the economic strategy for the region can be implemented through the planning policy. For too long, planning has not adopted an approach that ensures the number of houses are built to meet the planned increase in economic activity. Building a greater number of houses for sale and rent will help to stabilise the market, maintain affordable housing and avoid the ongoing increases in prices and rents that are becoming so much of a burden for the individual to afford.
In terms of delivery, to provide adequate and much needed resources to allow the planning professionals in the local councils to act.
Planning applications are taking too long in the decision process, increasing costs and risk. Development of property is carried out in a cyclical economy. Delay in the planning process risks frustrating much needed development.
In England, the Bill provides for new devolution structures and simplifies existing arrangements for devolving power, which are complicated and burdensome. It delivers models that will allow all parts of the North East – not just major cities – to benefit from bespoke devolution deals, giving local leaders the powers to meet their communities’ needs. Providing these opportunities for all communities, will increase innovation and enhance local accountability, leading to more joined up services and decision making, greater flexibility over funding and more inward investment. Alongside these new powers, the Bill includes measures to increase the accountability and transparency of local leaders to their communities.
The Bill strengthens and adds to the tools that can be used to deliver regeneration and make good use of previously developed land. It will allow the reinvigoration of high streets by making changes allowing local authorities to fill vacant commercial property, such as shops, through high street rental auctions. It will enhance compulsory purchase powers, make it easier to establish locally led development corporations and improve transparency about the ownership and control of land.
It is hoped that the government will press ahead with the much-needed change to allow the region to grow the economy and bring greater prosperity to all.
