Planning system must be right for rural areas, says CLA
The CLA today (13 December) welcomed the Governments desire to change the planning system but questioned if the changes unveiled in the Localism Bill were the right ones to allow rural economies and businesses to thrive.
CLA President William Worsley said: We welcome the Governments desire for change to a planning system that is not currently fit for purpose. However, the changes must be the right ones to provide for sustainable economic development in rural areas. The Government must ensure a workable system which allows for a fairer, transparent, cost-effective and balanced approach to planning decisions.
The proposed reforms must support and provide for the economic, social and environmental pillars essential to sustainable development in the countryside. A sustainable and thriving rural economy has businesses that help to produce long-term opportunities for economic growth, job creation and the delivery of affordable rural housing, which in turn, brings more money into the area to support landscape, biodiversity and food production.”
Mr Worsley added he was concerned about certain aspects of localism as set out in the new Bill.
He said: Radical proposals for neighbourhood planning seem to assume that economic growth and housing delivery will just happen if communities are given the opportunity to make decisions for themselves.
“However, there is an inherent tension between the concept of localism and providing investor certainty which may lead to communities making decisions on what they want or dont want, without taking into account what they actually need in the long-term to remain sustainable.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has around 35,000 members.
As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support.
We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.
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