Amidst the swirling morass of statements from the Government, it is possible to take some comfort that planning is still being discussed at (apparently) the highest levels.  However, it remains concerning that there appears to be no joined up thinking.  

From an ideological perspective, it is not surprising to see key figures seeking to remove overarching, top down housing targets, albeit not officially.  But to replace those targets with complete deregulation seems naïve at best, and wilfully destructive at worst.

Everyone in the development industry wants to see a fast and efficient planning service granting consent for development that the country sorely needs - not just housing, but key infrastructure - at something other than a glacial pace.

Lazily accusing "red tape" as being the barrier to this apparent land of plenty is unhelpful.  Ironically, it is these rules and regulations that ensure that new development is safe, environmentally sound and sustainable - exactly the sort of places that turn NIMBYs into YIMBYs.

A better starting point would be asking why the planning system has been burdened with adopting, assessing and enforcing a whole variety of systems and structures that do not sit well within the original planning framework.  Why are we asking our local planners to be viability accountants, environmental net gain experts and social engineers?  Why are we expecting ever enhanced output for less cost in less time?  

That is not to say that the planning system should not be ambitious.  But to achieve all of the above under one roof, needs far greater resource and restructure than any recent Government is willing to admit.  

Maybe a little thought in that direction would see us return from the land of confusion.