25th May 2010

The Queen's Speech has today set out 22 Bills to be introduced over the coming months, including Bills on Decentralisation and Localism, Local Government and Energy, which will have a significant impact on the planning system.

The Town and Country Planning Association's (TCPA) Interim Chief Executive Kate Henderson said:

"The Bills set out today around local government, localism and energy are set to have a profound influence over the future direction of the planning system."

"The TCPA has long campaigned for community empowerment and we therefore welcome the emphasis in the proposed Decentralisation and Localism Bill on giving local people more power to influence the decisions that affect them and take a more active role in their area. One of the key challenges to the planning system is around public legitimacy and therefore a move towards re-engaging people with the future of their communities is a positive step forwards. Similarly, the proposed Energy Bill which focuses on energy efficiency in the home, will have an important role to play in reducing our carbon emissions to tackle climate change."

"In order to deliver homes, jobs and sustainable energy, which contribute to a wider low carbon vision, strong local authority leadership and community engagement will be essential. "

The TCPA looks forward to seeing the detail of the Bills and will be consulting with our membership from across the public, private and voluntary sector.