MANUFACTURING LEFT BEHIND IN PLANNING CHANGES

Friday 25 May 2007

Although the Planning White Paper, which has been launched this week, identified many of the shortcomings in the planning system that industry has been highlighting, the Construction Products Association is concerned that it fails to address the most serious issues facing industry.

The principle concern for product manufacturers and suppliers is the unacceptable length of time it takes to consider applications for industrial and business developments, especially mineral applications.  These delays are seriously hindering industrial development and discouraging the large industrial companies from investing in the UK.

The Association is also concerned with the uncertainty about a long-term national policy for key infrastructure needs if it does not have the support of all the main political parties.  It believes this will undermine the potential benefit of having a long-term framework as a basis for speedier decisions and a clearer framework against which industry can make future investment decisions.

However, the Association did welcome a number of issues in the White Paper which it has been championing for some time.  These include;

• Support for sustainable economic developments  
• Improving local and national infrastructure and
• Increasing the Housing supply

Speaking after the launch, Michael Ankers, Chief Executive of the Construction Products Association echoed the government’s comments and acknowledged the need that in order for business to be competitive it had to respond much more quickly to changes in market conditions.  He said; We all know that planning is vital to economic development and delays in the process, especially when dealing with major infrastructure projects can damage the country’s economic and environmental well-being.  Too often in our industry these delays lead to investment and jobs being lost to overseas competitors.  It is right that the government is beginning to address some of these issues, but we need to ensure these good intentions are now followed through”.
 
Other key proposals that were welcomed by the Association include;

• Major infrastructure systems will be subject to a new regime.  Ministers and Parliament will set a new national policy framework for the country’s key infrastructure needs for the next 10-25 years, bringing it together under one legal framework.  Decisions on specific proposals within this framework will be made by a new Independent Commission.  Areas to be dealt with by this new regime include  major airport and port projects, improvements to the Strategic Road Network, major new power generating facilities, major reservoir and waste water plants.
• Planning permission no longer required for minor developments.  Conservatories, small scale extensions and microgeneration devices like solar  panels will not require permission where they have little or no impact on neighbouring properties.
• Speeding up the appeals system.  Appeals will have to be lodged within eight weeks rather than six months.
• A new Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on Economic Development will be prepared.  This will emphasise the importance of promoting a strong, stable, and productive  economy with access for all to jobs and improved employment prospects.
• Finalise the PPS on Climate Change.  With supporting legislation, this will set out clearly the role of local planning authorities in tackling energy efficiency and climate change.
• Reducing emissions from commercial buildings.  An action plan and timetable is to be drawn up with industry to deliver reduction of carbon emissions from new commercial buildings in next 10 years.