One of the big consultations going on at the moment is
regarding the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the legislation that
underpins the planning system that controls new building developments in our
country.
While the passing of Cornwall’s local plan a couple of years
ago and the ongoing work carried out by hard-working volunteers to bring in
Neighbourhood Development Plans on a Parish and Town level gives weight to
local views in planning, it is the NPPF that planning officers in county hall
and the planning inspector, uses as the foundation of their decision-making.
The consultation as it stands currently has a number of
changes proposed, some of which I support and some of which I do not.
One thing in this consultation that I am very much in favour
is of the additional layer of protection given to protected areas to excuse
them from the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’, which
normally makes it much easier for applications to get permission.
Presumption in favour of sustainable development, in
planning terms means approving development proposals that accord with an
up-to-date development plan without delay, or where there are no relevant
development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for
determining the application are out-of-date, the planning officer must grant
permission.
However the NPPF will now read that if the application of
policies that protect areas or assets of particular importance provide a clear
reason for refusing the development propose, or any adverse impacts of doing so
would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed
against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole, then the presumption in
favour of sustainable development can be disregarded.
Crucially, the policies referred to above are those relating
to sites protected under rules such as, among others, Sites of Special
Scientific Interest, Local Green Space, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), defined
as Heritage Coast or otherwise irreplaceable habitats.
We are lucky to have a number of places with these
designations in Mid-Cornwall and their presence does a lot to encourage
tourism. Visitors come from far and wide to see the stunning Cornish coast and
countryside and we must do all we can to protect this from unnecessary and
inappropriate development.
I am concerned about some muddling of the planning
legislation around AONB rules that could make them weaker in the eyes of
developers. In my previous experience as
a councillor prior to becoming an MP, the AONB rules we currently have in the
NPPF are fit for purpose and robust enough to deter developers from building
inappropriately. I am very much against weakening the planning legislation we
have in place to protect our AONB and have written to the Minister for Housing
outlining my concerns in response to this consultation.
The consultation runs until 10 May and you can have your say
via the below link:
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and
work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only,
advice surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at: www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
