What has been the fallout on the planning system since the announcement of the General Election…

With the general election less then a week away, the planning system finds itself a key battleground for political debate among the main parties. However, since Parliament’s dissolution on 30th May, what is not discussed is the immediate operational impacts on the planning system during this interim period. This hiatus affects day-to-day activities potentially delaying important planning decisions until after the election.

 

At a local level, whilst Planning Committees can continue, most councils are putting planning committee meetings and controversial decisions on hold until after election day.   Authorities including Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have either moved or cancelled their Planning Committees that fall ahead of the election. This results in a number of applications being delayed with a knock-on effect on future Planning Committees.

 

This is also having an impact on Emerging Local Plans with both Medway Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council delaying its Regulation 19 and Regulation 18b consultations respectively until after the general election.

 

The Planning Inspectorate have also made an official announcement, confirming some appeal decisions could be delayed. This is to ensure that any appeal proposals that are particularly sensitive or have raised interest in an area, cannot be deemed to have influenced the election at a local constituency or national level. They have therefore confirmed that:

 

“Whether a decision or recommendation should be held back until the election results have been announced is a judgement taken by senior managers in the Planning Inspectorate on the circumstances of the case.  We shall of course ensure that any such delayed decisions or recommendations are issued promptly after the election. “

 

The Inspectorate’s statement further confirms that whilst scheduled Local Plan examinations and hearings will continue, no letters regarding the “soundness” or legal compliance of emerging Local Plans, or final reports, will be issued until after the election. National Infrastructure examinations will continue to run to published timetables unless changes to events are needed due to logistical effects of the election on the availability of venues or support staff.

 

Further information on the impacts for PINS can be found here: Planning Inspectorate’s approach to casework during the pre-election period 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

The suspension of some operations and the delay of important decisions may well lead to a backlog of important decisions and planning updates from a number of local authorities across the country, not just those based in Kent. So, whilst we wait to see what the outcome is following 4th July, and the adjustments this may bring to the planning system, we may experience an influx of decisions and Local Plan consultations once operations return to ‘normal’.

 

If you would like to discuss the impact of the upcoming General Election on the planning system, please feel free to contact DHA Planning’s Lucy Wilford or Oonagh Kerrigan.