Covid-19: Quartermain outlines Government Support for Planning Authorities in Final Letter as Chief Planner

摘要

England's chief planner Steve Quartermain has encouraged local planning authorities to use technology to continue their service and ensure that discussions and consultations can go ahead during the outbreak of coronavirus ("Covid-19"). While face-to-face events and meetings might need to be cancelled, it is "important" that local authorities continue to provide the "best possible service in these stretching times and prioritise decision-making to ensure the planning system continues to function, especially where this will support the local economy". In a valedictory letter to local planning authority departments, Quartermain, who leaves the chief planner role at the end of this month, advised that committee decisions should be delegated where appropriate. He explained that the Government would be introducing legislation to allow council committee meetings to be held virtually for a temporary period:"We encourage you to be pragmatic and continue, as much as possible, to work proactively with applicants and others, where necessary agreeing extended periods for making decisions."