Localism Act

Planning systems

Reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective

The measures are wide ranging and include the abolition of regional strategies, a duty for public bodies to cooperate in planning matters, neighbourhood planning, the community right to build and a requirement for developers to consult communities before submitting certain planning applications.

The Act contains some stronger planning enforcement powers, reform of the community infrastructure levy, reform of the way local plans are made. It also gives government ministers power to take decisions on nationally significant infrastructure projects.

There are changes to neighbourhood planning to enable communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work. The council's response to these changes are set out on the Neighbourhood planning web pages.