Consultation Responses
Planning White Paper – August 2007
This White Paper set out detailed proposals for reform in response to the recommendations made by Kate Barker, and by Rod Eddington in respect of planning.
These proposed reforms embrace all development consent regimes, including those for major energy, water, transport and waste development, as well as the town and country planning system. Planning and development need to be considered holistically if they are to deliver the best outcome for both the country and for local communities.
In essence the White Paper reflected five core principles;
- planning must be responsive, particularly to longer term challenges such as increasing globalisation and climate change, and properly integrate our economic, social and environmental objectives to deliver sustainable development;
- the planning system should be streamlined, efficient and predictable;
- there must be full and fair opportunities for public consultation and community engagement;
- the planning system should be transparent and accountable;
- planning should be undertaken at the right level of government – national, regional and local.
