RTPI welcomes Planning Bill amendments

Michael Donnelly, PlanningResource, 26 June 2008

The Planning Bill proposes the creation of LMRBs to hear local residents’ appeals against planning permission refusals, a function that is currently carried out by the Planning Inspectorate.

Critics of LMRBs say this would put significant strain on the resources of local authorities and would endanger the independence and impartiality of the appeals process because it would effectively mean that appeals would be heard by the same body which rejected the original application. 

In reference to LMRBs, housing minister Caroline Flint told Parliament during the Planning Bill debate that: “We need to consider whether, given the large number of planning reforms that we are asking local planning authorities to implement, it is also right to ask them to focus on the initiative.”

RTPI secretary general Robert Upton said: “We are pleased the government has listened to the concerns of the sector and shown a willingness to reassess the introduction of Local Member Review Bodies.

“It is our view that, while well intentioned, the introduction of LMRBs would present real practical difficulties for local authorities who would have to find extra resources to administer the appeals process. We were also concerned that the proposed system had the potential to compromise the independence and impartiality of the appeals process and undermine public confidence in the planning system.

“The indication from the minister that the government will not pursue LMRBs is very welcome and we are confident that the prospect of their introduction will be extinguished before the Planning Bill reaches the Lords.” 

The RTPI has also welcomed amendments to the Planning Bill which will make key National Policy Statements on airports and nuclear power stations locationally specific and subject the Infrastructure Planning Commission and its commissioners to parliamentary scrutiny.