Last year DCLG started on a Local Standards framework (LSF) for new homes, in part as a response to concerns of house builders that there are unreasonable amounts of regulation imposed via the planning system. For example, they cite:sustainability, security, age and disability, surface water drainage, car parking standards, standards for amenity space. However the Housing Minister realises that simply imposing a limited national framework would not be reconcilable with localism. His proposition therefore is that the industry and local government should work together to agree a ‘local standards framework’ which planning authorities would use to set minimum local standards as part of the local plan. DCLG are just scoping this out at the moment. Prior to anything formal, they'd like the views from the sector. Attached (or at least in the next post below) is DCLG's paper asking for your thoughts. Please respond by 1 March directly to DCLG: Billy.Kayada@communities.gsi.gov.uk and copy any comments to info@local.gov.uk. There is also a discussion event on 4 March in Milton Keynes - details in DCLGs paper. LG Group submitted some initial views on the proposal (www.lga.gov.uk/planning) Thanks.
