August 16, 2011 Dear Sir, In order to revitalise local economies, support jobs and businesses and build the homes and infrastructure the country needs - including affordable housing - it is vital that local people, businesses, charities and the development industry are empowered to shape growth in communities, urban and rural, across the country. As organisations working in or representing construction, house-building, business and energy and those affected by our current housing shortage and stifled economic recovery, we support the principles of a consolidated planning framework as introduced within the new National Planning Policy Framework and welcome the government’s recognition that development can be a major factor in our economic recovery. While as separate organisations we have individual concerns about detail within the NPPF, we believe that its overarching principles can strike the necessary balance between economic growth, a presumption in favour of sustainable development and existing environmental protection. For too long developers, communities and local authorities have found the planning system negative and confrontational. We support the aspiration of the NPPF to address this, to streamline and simplify the planning system, to better engage communities and further enable them to plan positively for the long term and sustainable future of their areas. Yours faithfully, Stewart Baseley Executive Chairman, Home Builders Federation David Orr Chief Executive , National Housing Federation Dr Adam Marshall Director of Policy and External Affairs British Chambers of Commerce Sarah Webb Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Housing Liz Peace Chief Executive, British Property Federation Phil Orford Chief Executive, Forum of Private Business Imtiaz Farookhi Chief Executive, National House Building Council Michael Ankers Chief Executive, Construction Products Association Chris Pateman Managing Director of the Builders Merchants’ Federation Dr Gordon Edge Director of Policy, RenewableUK Brian Berry Director of External Affairs, Federation of Master Builders
