The system of planning that helps control where developers can build housing is in real jeopardy as a result of local government reorganisation.

Each local authority has the mammoth task of preparing a Local Plan, supposed to last a span of some 20 years. It is the main way of controlling where housing can be built and which areas can be protected.

Each authority has to follow government requirements for how much building they provide and they have to show that they have provided sufficient allocated land, so that any developer that puts in an application to build on land outside the unallocated land cannot argue that the Council hasn’t given sufficient provision.

Where it all breaks down is with authorities failing to complete an agreed Local plan. This is happening a lot locally. Test Valley has recently decided to scrap the plans they have been working on and start the whole process again from the very start.

Even if say, The New Forest National Park, manages to complete a Local Plan, it will still be negatively affected by neighbouring authorities not completing their work. It puts at risk much needed back-up grazing sites, much needed if the practice of commoning is to survive. It can put additional recreational pressures on the National Park.

I fear that a consequence of Local government Reorganisation, (LGR) is having a profound impact on staff morale and the motivation to even stay working for authorities that have a limited lifespan. It isn’t “business as usual”…

The biggest fear is that Appeals Inspectors will support applications for land outside that which has been allocated… and we all know what happens when the necessary plans have not been prepared, including all the necessary infrastructure and services that the new occupants will demand.