Report

Constructing consensus

This report from UK think tank New Local argues that the key to unlocking our fraught planning system is to give communities more power and influence to shape local development.

Our country needs to build more. More houses are required to meet current and rising demand. High streets and town centres need regeneration. Our infrastructure is not keeping pace with the structural requirements of our economy and society. The current planning process is undoubtedly fraught, but the way development is done doesn’t create enough opportunity for people locally to have a meaningful say.

Too often, their role is reduced to a narrow window for consultation on a specific scheme to which they can only consent or object. The whole process is set up to be adversarial, so it is no wonder friction is often the result. This report sets out why the response to communities should seek to enhance rather than reduce their power within the planning system, arguing that deeper community involvement is key to speeding up building plans and ensuring quality and sustainability.