The recent decision by the government to remove Lewis District Council’s planning powers and the reaction of the local council to this decision is a stark illustration of a deep rooted fracture in our planning system. Whose authority is paramount? The government whose legitimacy is they act in the national interest. Or local councillors who in response have issued this statement
“We are being punished by the government for defending the district against unwanted development, plain and simple. …With this decision, the government has launched a full-frontal attack on the views of local people and the communities they live in……This council has stood up against housebuilders and their pursuit of profit in our district, rejecting planning applications that would turn green space into concrete and offer next to nothing for local people in real need of a home. …..And in response Michael Gove has handed the keys to the district to any developer looking to make a fast buck”.
Local councillors anger is intense, that is clear. The local Conservative MP for Lewis, Maria Caulfield reaction is a surprise.For a change this local MP is backing the government, blaming the Lib Dems, Greens and Labour on the local planning committee. This may be political opportunism as for the relevant period the Tories were the biggest group and the committee chair, Sharon Davy, was also Conservative.
Lewis is not the first council to rebel, believing they have a mandate from the government to accept or reject spatial change in their areas according to local priorities, not national needs. The Department for Levelliing Up, Housing and Communities led by Michael Gove is turning on the supply screws. They have no choice. This is their way of sending out out a message to other councils that despite government policy to decentralise power from Whitehall, and where-possible accelerate the devolution of spatial powers new homes are needed, including in councils areas where local people do not support the land use changes that government policy causes. This is the dilemma. The Lewis flare-up is just the latest example. Until the local v. national conflict is solved the unplanned, haphazard, unloved, unattractive, unsupported (by sufficient infrastructure) and above all unsupported locally new houses will be plonked here and there like unwanted, alien and noxious growths. . We have had one generation of spatial failure. Until spatial policies change we will have another generation of planning failure. In the meantime prices and rents will escalate: what joy for existing owners and landlords but self-murder for the next generation. Lessons need to be learnt, and are not.
The previous post, Housing Manifesto 2024, dated 29 April 2024 puts forward a solution, and a means of obtaining local support in places like Lewes. Yes, the residents of Lewes can export their housing needs to other potential host authorities but must pay for the privilege. That is honourable of them and fair too to residents in host locations.
Or if this is too costly they can take control of their own spatial futures, and ensure the next generation of new homes in and close to Lewes are so appealing they will want to go to these new centres of excellence, to enjoy their amenities, rural open space, the new homes and the new places to work their council has delivered through the council’s new spatial land ownership policy. Just saying no, time and time again will no longer work. Perhaps the general election due this year will be about the changes needed.
Ian Campbell
10 May 2024
