Making the link between building control and planning

Abstract

A depressed building industry needs help and assistance from the building control and planning process. The shrinking public sector purse, the Coalition Government's review of both the building control and planning systems, systems being too ‘output’-focused, and the needs of the end user are drivers to change. Development management promotes pro-active planning, and should be at the hub of a framework supporting a shift towards the facilitation and encouragement of development. There must be closer contact with developers and wider business engagement, and there is a need for more clearly defined policies for developers. Change must happen, with openness and willingness on all sides, and crucially, with the support of central government.