The Labour party is facing accusations of weakening planning laws, making it simpler for travellers to establish new camps. The update to national planning laws by Angela Rayner's department has removed earlier proposals intended to limit the impact of encampments.
Concerns previously included in the framework about 'long-distance travelling' and the 'potential environmental damage caused by unauthorised encampment' were deleted from the final version. The updated National Planning Policy Framework also omitted references from a draft version concerning the minimisation of adverse environmental impacts, such as noise and air quality, on the health and wellbeing of travellers. Additionally, a sentence about ensuring traveller sites are not isolated from the wider community was removed.
The revised document introduces a new suggestion that "locations not well-related to existing settlements may be appropriate." An accompanying report explained that references to health and wellbeing impacts were removed to ensure traveller site proposals are considered consistently with other development types. The change was made to address concerns that traveller sites might face greater difficulty in gaining permission under policy S5, by specifying that such sites may be suitable in locations not closely linked to existing settlements.
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly criticized the changes, stating that Labour's planning modifications are making it easier for travellers to abuse the system. He argued that by watering down the rules, Labour is inviting travellers to set up unauthorised camps and then seek retrospective planning approval. Cleverly suggested that local communities would be angered by efforts to impede authorities from combating these practices.
These changes come shortly after the Conservative party pledged to crack down on illegal traveller sites, including banning indefinite returns and ending retrospective planning approval. Local authorities have also expressed concerns that the new planning rules, which include a 'default yes' to developments near railway stations in England, could reduce the influence of local communities. Cllr Andrew Husband, Housing and Planning Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, stated that the updated framework would weaken the voices of local authorities and communities, shifting power towards developers and increasing the risk of unsustainable development without adequate infrastructure.
However, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner defended the changes, asserting the need for homes and infrastructure to be developed in a planned manner with local input. She maintained that the government remains on target to build 1.5 million homes in five years, with nearly 400,000 completed since the current administration took office. Earlier, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook had acknowledged the target was proving difficult, attributing rising construction material costs partly to the war in Iran. A Labour spokesperson commented that the Conservatives left the planning system in disarray and that the current Labour government has strengthened safeguards for green belt developments and national policy on intentional unauthorised development.