Community Right to Build needs further thought

23 July 2010

Housing minister Grant Shapps has today (Friday) set out the government's proposals for a new 'Community Right to Build', which will allow local communities to bypass the planning process if they can find overwhelming support for housing developments. Fiona Howie, head of planning at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said:

"A more democratic approach to house building is welcome as local people should always be given a say in development. We are pleased that the government is considering how to protect and enhance rural village life and delivering affordable housing in rural areas will be a critical part of this. However, bypassing the planning process is not the way to deliver it and any proposals should include proper planning scrutiny.

"The level and location of development should be informed by a proper assessment of local housing need and an understanding of whether the local environment can accommodate more development. This capacity should be assessed through democratic local plans and not a simple public ballot.

"A central part of the government's wider planning reform proposals is to give local communities a pivotal role in shaping local plans. The government should focus their efforts on getting these broader reforms right, so that local communities are truly involved in planning for their area as a whole. This, rather than a new Right to Build, should ensure local people are able to shape future development in their areas."