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Scrapping of Regional Strategies ruled unlawful
11/11/10
Edited by Bob Witham.The High Court has ruled the government's decision to scrap Regional Strategies was unlawful, following a challenge brought by house builder Cala Homes.
Communities secretary Eric Pickles announced the end of the planning targets earlier this year, saying they had failed to support the delivery of new residential property.
Edinburgh-based Cala called for a judicial review of the move after it had an application for 2,000 homes turned down and, because no alternative system had been put in place, was left with no right of appeal.
Under the ruling, the house building targets for English councils will remain in place until primary legislation introduces a new set of rules.
Cala said the decision will help to "restore clarity and confidence to the planning system" by avoiding a "policy vacuum".
Communities minister Bob Neill claimed the judgement "changes very little" because the government will introduce a localism bill later this month to "sweep away" Regional Strategies.
He added the fact house building has fallen to its lowest peacetime level since 1924 shows that top-down targets do not work.
