No left-behind places

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published its response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC) consultation on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill: reforms to national planning policy.

It sought views on the Government’s proposals to update the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

RIBA President Simon Allford said: “The revised National Planning Policy Framework rightly focuses on the importance of levelling up. To achieve its ambitions to level up our built environment, the Government must ensure architecture is at the heart of building design.

“The challenges are huge and are growing as the housing crisis worsens. We are not yet convinced that the proposed measures go far enough to boost housing supply to the levels we urgently need.

“It is also vital that quality and inclusive design must be prioritised alongside quantity. We must build sustainable homes that will stand the test of time in places where people want to live where there is the infrastructure to support them.

“We are therefore very pleased to see that the proposals consider the importance of utilising existing infrastructure. Of course, this need not and must not disincentivise affordable housing delivery elsewhere.

“As we continue to decarbonise the built environment, we welcome the NPPF’s specific focus on nature-based solutions and carbon assessment – the planning system has an important part to play in the transition to net zero. The Government is right to harness this opportunity to embed sustainability at the heart of the planning system.

“We look forward to responding to further consultations and continuing to engage with the Government on how the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill can create a built environment that works for all.”

Read the full consultation response and blog for more detail.