Localism fears voiced
Fears have been expressed by Midlands professionals that the government's Localism Bill could slow down the planning system it is meant to speed up, or be stymied by NIMBY groups.
The act, which introduces elected mayors into 12 English cities and gives more control to local authorities, is intended to decentralise power away from Whitehall.
However, GVA Grimley warned that localism must not become parochialism. Stephen Hollowood, from the property consultancy's Birmingham office, said: "The localism and decentralisation movement must ensure that important local, economic and housing investment is not stymied by the rampant self-interest of a few highly motivated ‘NIMBY’ interest groups.
"This will be a key test of the new system; can growth be achieved in parallel with the 'Big Society' agenda - we will have to wait and see."
The government’s Localism Bill will bring "radical change" to the planning system, according to David Brammer, an associate at the Birmingham office of DLA Piper.
He said: "Every planning lawyer in the world will be shouting about these developments."
Brammer said he had some sympathy with ministers in their description of the current system as "too centralised and bureaucratic, too adversarial and remote from the communities it affects", although planning professionals were staggered and concerned at the rate of reform.
Frances Robinson, a solicitor specialising in planning at law firm Beachcroft, said that while the bill intended an overhaul of the application process, the greater involvement of local people "tends to slow things down rather than speed things up".
Robinson added: "In order to succeed it will require local people to embrace the idea of development and encourage it in a way that they have not had to before.
"In that sense the bill is an experimental concept which will require a considerable change in mindset away from the general resistance against development.
"It will now be more important than ever that developers fully engage with those in the area of development."
Leading property professionals from across the Midlands are also set to gather together to discuss the legislation at the inaugural "Midlands Planning Conference" on 20 January. Organised by the Birmingham offices of No5 Chambers and King Sturge, the event at Nottingham's Crowne Plaza Hotel is to feature speakers such as planning minister Bob Neill.
