NATIONAL CONTEXT

National Context

National Context

Since the launch of SAGP the issues and the challenges at the national level have continued to increase and the environment is under substantial pressure from all sides. Of particular relevance is the reform of the planning system and changes to local governance, the government’s push for more housing and economic growth, the shrinking of the public sector and the general impact of austerity budgets.

Localism & reform of the planning system

The Localism Act, 2011 changed the powers of local government in England with the aim of devolving decision-making from central government and placing much greater control in the hands of local communities. 

The planning system was streamlined in 2012 with the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework or NPPF introduced to encourage sustainable development and growth and setting out the Government’s planning policies for England. It provides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans to reflect the needs and priorities of their communities.

The Community Infrastructure Levy or CIL allows local authorities to raise funds for community infrastructure from developers and owners on the back of building projects in their area.

Growth is being supported & promoted in each county by Local Enterprise Partnerships. These have been established by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and bids can be made for substantial funding to help unlock the economic potential of an area. The Swindon and Wiltshire LEP relates to this area.

With wildlife under increasing pressure – State of Nature Report, Local Nature Partnerships have been set up by the government with the purpose of providing a check and balance to growth at any cost. In this area the Swindon and Wiltshire LNP, Linked2Nature, has not yet developed a strong presence and SAGP have concerns that opportunities are being missed to promote the benefits of an environment-led approach to economic development as in Oxfordshire’s ‘Strategic Environmental and Economic Investment Plan’.
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