Committees

Levelling-Up Committee examines planning reform concerns

14 July 2022

On Monday 18 July, housing, planning and conservation experts will be questioned by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee on the Government’s Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill.

The LUHC Committee will question representatives (full witness details below) from National Housing Federation, British Property Federation, Council for the Protection of Rural England, Natural England, Design Council, and Localis.

Purpose of the session

The cross-party group of MPs are likely to examine concerns around claims the Bill will lead to a centralisation of the planning system and raise questions concerning the Government’s planning proposals and how effective they are likely to be in making progress on the levelling-up agenda.

The Committee are also likely to explore issues around public participation in the planning system and the Bill’s framework for the Infrastructure Levy. They will also scrutinise what impact the proposals in the Bill might have for design, and how environmental factors will be taken into account.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill was debated by MPs on Wednesday 8 June when it received its Second Reading in the House of Commons.

Background to the Committee’s work Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill

On 20th June, LUHC Committee held an evidence session to explore planning issues raised in the Government’s Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill, questioning Victoria Hills, Chief Executive, Royal Town Planning Institute, Dr Hugh Ellis, Policy Director, Town and Country Planning Association, and Christopher Young QC, No5 Barristers Chamber. This session followed up on concerns raised in an earlier evidence session with the then Secretary of State, Michael Gove, on 13 June.

Witnesses

Monday 18 July

Committee Room 8

From 4pm    

  • Andrew Wood, Spatial Planning Lead, Council for the Protection of Rural England
  • Kate Henderson, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
  • Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy, British Property Federation

From around 4.45pm

  • Alan Law, Deputy Chief Executive, Natural England
  • Edward Hobson, Director of Place, Design Council
  • Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis

Further information

Image: Parliamentary copyright