'Section 106 payments have gone out the window': Luton councillors' concerns over planned shake-up of planning system

The local authority has been preparing its response to the Planning for the Future consultation.

Labour Challney councillor Tom Shaw told the executive: “It’s a developer’s charter. Section 106 payments have gone out of the window.

“We’ll have to rely on private developers telling us the truth,” he said.

“We’ve spent the last ten years challenging viability assessments.

“If we allow this to go through it will cost housing about £3m a year, which we get in Section 106 agreements.

“We need to fight tooth and nail right across the board, all parties,” he warned.

“Under the infrastructure levy, you’re going to get a smaller amount of money in.

“It won’t even give us enough for the education element, never mind housing, leisure, sport, highways and everything else.

“We should get an adequate Section 106 payment for housing and other things in the town, not a paltry £56,000 and £1,500 a unit.”

Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor David Franks said: “We view the proposals in the White Paper as a power grab by central government and an attempt to squeeze out the ability of local authorities to deal with planning applications.

“Even worse, it’s an attempt to allow these to go through without residents knowing about them.”

Portfolio holder for planning and transport, and Labour South councillor Paul Castleman said: “The consultation is due to close on October 29th.

“It sets out a high level package of proposals for the reform of the planning system, as well as other policy-related plans.

“The reforms definitely aren’t there to help any local authority. They’re solely for the developers.”

Director of planning and transport Sue Frost previously told the council’s overview and scrutiny board that the White Paper was written from a professional planning viewpoint.

“Individuals can submit separate responses,” she said. “The White Paper is light on detail.

“There are fundamental reforms being proposed. Local Plans will be affected significantly.

“And there is also a suggestion of zoned areas for growth, renewal and protection.”

It appears to be in accordance with climate change priorities, she added.

Councillor Franks described it as “a really worrying development”, saying: “It gives developers a free hand.”

Labour Farley councillor Dave Taylor, who chairs the council’s development control committee, said previous government interference in the planning system allowed town centre offices to be turned into residential properties.

“Various sites have not been implemented because developers are waiting for the price of land and property to rise,” he explained.

Shire counties and Central Bedfordshire councillor James Jamieson, who chairs the Local Government Association, are also unhappy, according to councillor Taylor.

“The last thing they want is development zones imposed upon them,” he added.

The executive agreed its consultation response, as recommended by the scrutiny board, to be forwarded to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.