The UK Government (Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities) has launched a consultation, 'The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy', that seeks views on reform to the planning system in England.

CIHT has repeatedly called for planning and transport to be properly integrated, with this most recently being outlined in our report, 'Delivering sustainable transport for housing developments: Fixing a failing planning and transport system' (CIHT, 2022). In particular, the research in this report highlights that National Planning Policy undermines the need for carbon reduction, principally paragraph 111.

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“Housing developments are still dominated by cars, with little sustainable transport provision. Not only does this have serious effects for the health of our planet, but it also severely impacts the health of our people.”

“The integration of planning and transport is key to helping achieve healthier, more sustainable development that promotes economic growth, levels up the country, and provides for people, not cars.”

The draft changes to the NPPF outlined in this consultation have thus far failed to make the integration of planning and transport a priority; CIHT will be making a submission to highlight this issue and show why this opportunity should not be missed.

CIHT have pulled together a group of interested practitioners from across transport and beyond to provide a formal response on behalf of the sector.

CIHT members have the opportunity to get their views heard on this consultation, simply head over to CIHT Connect and let us know your thoughts or get in touch at technical@ciht.org.uk