Reform is urgently required to improve the local plan review process and increase the number of up-to-date plans, according to new research.
The statutory requirement for local plans to be reviewed every five year is ineffective in addressing the issue of outdated plans, a study by Lichfields found.
The planning and development consultancy found that 47 of 55 local authorities had completed a review within the five-year timeframe, but noted that there did not seem to be any consequence for the councils that failed to do so.
Its report, Marking Your Own Homework, found no standard approach in how authorities carried out these reviews, with no 'clear guidance’ or set method for the process.
The report also notes that there is no requirement that authorities update their plans following a review – although all but five of the councils that undertook a review concluded that an update was necessary, citing reasons like updates to national policy, the climate crisis, and changing local housing need figures.
Authorities that decided to update their plan faced a lengthy process to do so, during which the policies that they had found to be ineffective were still in place, Lichfields said.
The consultancy said that while guidance on a new plan-making system is expected this year, it ‘will not be available until at least autumn 2024 and will be dependent on the timings and outcomes of the general election.’
