Ellie Ames 20 December 2023

Councils told to revise local plan timetables

Councils told to revise local plan timetables image
Image: I T S / Shutterstock.com

The housing secretary has instructed seven local authorities to revise their timetables for delivering their local plans.

In a speech in which he announced the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) yesterday, Michael Gove named the councils as ‘failing to deliver for their communities’.

The councils, Amber Valley, Ashfield, Basildon, Castle Point, Medway, St Albans, and Uttlesford, received letters from Mr Gove yesterday.

They are the only seven planning authorities that have not adopted local plans since 2004 and have not submitted draft plans for examination, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said.

Mr Gove stressed that the councils had limited time, with a deadline to submit a plan under the current system by June 2025.

The authorities were directed to revise their local development schemes – timetables for the progression of local plans – within 12 weeks, with ‘further intervention action’ possible.

In his speech yesterday, Mr Gove also said he was ‘designating Chorley and Fareham for poor quality decision making’.

Both Chorley and Fareham Borough councils were designated in respect of applications for planning permission for major development. The designation will remain in force until revoked.

Mr Gove also said: 'I will be reviewing the current criteria and thresholds for designations, to make sure we are not letting off the hook authorities that should be doing better.'

In a separate government intervention, housing minister Lee Rowley wrote to West Berkshire Council yesterday, directing it not to withdraw its local plan from examination, which the authority had been due to consider at an extraordinary meeting.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner