The tilted balance mechanism is designed to address situations where local planning policies are out-of-date or where there is an insufficient supply of deliverable housing sites. While this mechanism can be effective in promoting sustainable development, its overuse can indicate deeper systemic issues:

Organizational Continuity vs. Systemic Failures:

The tilted balance is meant to ensure organisational continuity by allowing necessary development to proceed despite outdated policies. However, continuous reliance on this mechanism suggests a failure in the planning system, either due to local authorities’ incapability or unrealistic housing targets set without considering local circumstances.

Impact of Incompetent Local Authorities:

If local authorities are consistently failing to deliver within their targets, it may reflect a lack of capacity, resources, or competence in managing and planning development. This could lead to reactive rather than proactive planning, undermining the principles of sustainable development.

Unrealistic Housing Targets:

Housing targets set without a realistic understanding of local conditions, infrastructure capacities, and community needs can lead to impractical planning goals. These targets may not take into account the distribution of housing needs across the nation, leading to localized pressures and unsustainable development practices.

Alternative Approaches

To address these issues, several alternative approaches should be considered:

1. National Housing Development Distribution:

A more balanced and equitable distribution of housing development across the country can alleviate pressures on specific areas. This approach ensures that housing needs are met without overburdening particular regions, promoting regional development and reducing urban sprawl.

2. Capacity Building for Local Authorities:

Investing in the capacity and resources of local planning authorities can improve their ability to manage and plan development effectively. This includes training, increased funding, and access to planning expertise.

3. Realistic and Flexible Housing Targets:

Setting realistic and flexible housing targets that reflect local conditions and capacities is crucial. This includes considering factors such as infrastructure, environmental constraints, and community needs.

4. Comprehensive Review of Planning Policies:

Regular reviews and updates of local planning policies ensure they remain relevant and effective in guiding sustainable development. This proactive approach can reduce the reliance on the tilted balance mechanism.

Conclusion

Overreliance on the tilted balance mechanism to grant planning permissions highlights systemic issues in local planning processes and housing target setting. Continuous failure to meet housing targets in a controlled manner may stem from incapable local authorities or unrealistic targets. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including better distribution of housing development, capacity building for local authorities, realistic target setting, and comprehensive policy reviews. Ensuring sustainable development should remain the primary goal, balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to foster resilient and thriving communities.