The Planning White Paper proposes ambitious reforms to simplify and streamline the national planning system in England. While it builds on sound principles, implementing the changes will be an immense challenge requiring strong leadership over a long timescale with significant resources. Key implications include transitioning local authority planning functions to sustainable development functions. Greater emphasis must be placed on local character, issues, and constraints. Multi-agency coordination will also need to be more effective for this new system to work as intended.

1. The Planning White Paper A Chiltern Society Perspective Mike Overall Vice Chairman – Strategy