Barker Review on Planning Policy

The Barker Review on Planning Policy has a number of impacts on Sutton:

1. Our local Green Belt, though small could come under increased pressure. Most of it is either smallholding or golf courses, so may become an area seen as lucrative.

2. An Independent Planning Commisuison for big projects is unlikely to affect Sutton and seems to make sense to progress the very small number of very large projects.

3. A 50% reduction in ministerial call-ins is welcome, but unlikely to be significant due to small Sutton sites and the fact his power is exercised by the Mayor who is focussed on 200 sites, none of which are likely to be in Sutton.

4. Quicker Local Development Frameworks. This is good and will save Councils like Sutton some money.

5. Less planning bureacracy on agreed conservatories and loft conversions between neihghbours is welcome, but will many agree?

6. Speeding appeals up to 6 months or less is good as it reduces uncertainty and planning blight.

7. Less bureacracy on business planning applications. This is welcome, but I could see it as being contentious in suburban Sutton