London Councils slam school planning permission change

Government plans to classify new schools as ‘permitted development’ would prevent local authorities from regulating whether new schools are suitable for use and compromise the safety of children, London Councils has claimed.

Responding to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Planning for Schools development consultation, the group said the change in classification would take away the need to apply for planning permission altogether.

London Councils said: “The proposal would mean that local authorities would have to allow any new school to be created in any location – regardless of its impacts on noise, traffic or the suitability of the building for educational use.”

In its submission, it said boroughs would no longer be able to plan effectively for the number of places needed in a particular area. There could be a surplus of school places in some areas and a shortage in others, it claimed.

If councils are unable to regulate the suitability of buildings, some schools could end up with a lack of facilities to meet the curriculum, London Councils added.

It warned there would be no checks as to whether the buildings meet health and safety and Disability Discrimination Act requirements.

Suspending the planning process would also mean that residents would no longer have the right to have their say or to object to new schools.

Cllr Chris Roberts, London Councils Executive Member for Planning, said: “Boroughs recognise the importance of a decent education and use their planning powers to make sure that new schools are placed where they are needed – and that those buildings designated as schools are fit for purpose.

“Taking away a borough’s role will compromise the safety at school of many children in London, jeopardise their learning, and will prevent boroughs from effectively planning for the number of school places they need in their areas.”