In August 2020 the government issued a White Paper entitled Planning for the Future, setting out wide-ranging
plans for reforming the planning system in England and Wales. It invited responses to a set of questions based on
the proposals in its document. The Society’s Executive Committee’s reply can be seen here.
At the same time the Government consulted on its plans for future housing numbers. The Committee’s reply can be
seen here.
These responses are very much in line with those submitted by Wokingham Borough Council, which was particularly
opposed to the doubling of existing housing targets that would ensue for the Government’s proposed revised formula.
There are signs that this formula will be changed in response to objections, especially from MPs, that it runs
counter to the ‘levelling up’ policies relating to the north of England.
The Government has subsequently issued a third consultation paper on extending permitted development rights to all
types of buildings, including those in conservation areas. Here is the Committee’s submission.