Housing White Paper

Lord Jackson of Peterborough Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

Yes, I very much agree with what my hon. Friend says.

[Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con)]

Land availability is, in a sense, a side issue, because one impediment to expeditious planning consents is the capacity of the planning department and the fact that there is no fiscal incentive for planners to grant permission, which is why these things take so long. Linked to that is the capacity issue and whether planners have the skills, knowledge and experience to deal with large-scale planning applications. On that point, is it not time we reviewed the capacity of local authorities to increase planning fees?

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend has talked to me about this before and has helped, along with others, including many local leaders, to make a strong case about it. We have listened and local councils will be able to increase their planning fees by at least 20%.