Support

Representation ID: 8060

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Henry Vann

• The Planning White Paper encourages the construction of new vertical slums. It proposes the removal of powers of local authorities to ensure housing is good enough to live in, the removal of powers to protect active frontage in town centres – threatening the viability of shopping parades – and risks a lack of control over waste collection, with rubbish piled in streets effectively the result of Conservative Party policy. This should be safeguarded against with specific policies to ensure all can live in safe, healthy and sustainable housing.

• The Government determined Standard Method – through a variety of incorrect assumptions and processes, including its use of 2014 rather than 2018 data – penalises Bedford Borough.

• In addition to the various actions already taken by the Council to raise concerns and object to this method, we welcome further steps to work with our parishes and Borough Councillors to oppose the Conservative Government’s methodology and their proposed Planning White Paper.

• In a similar vein, we should write to MHCLG to request the reform of viability assessments to ensure that developers’ wider profits are taken into account and that viability includes the true cost of development including environmental standards, vital infrastructure and affordable housing against one another.