We were delighted that former housing minister Rachel MacLean was able to join us at the National Planning Conference in Birmingham last week. During her opening speech, she outlined the fundamental role that planning continues to play in shaping a positive future for the UK, stating that, in light of the nation’s climate ambitions and growing desire for inclusive living and working spaces, the role of planners has never been more vital than it is right now.
This is a sentiment that we at Planning Portal share, which is why yesterday’s news of MacLean’s removal from the position comes as a disappointment. It means yet another change for the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities, at a time when it has a huge amount of work to do on planning reforms, with so much legislation still yet to be put in place.
After nine months in the job, MacLean has been succeeded by Lee Rowley, who becomes the sixteenth person to fill the role of housing minister since 2010. This turnover in departmental leadership does not provide the sector with the stability we need to see vital, long-term progress effected.
Despite the challenges around the change, we would like to extend a warm welcome to Lee Rowley as he takes on the position. We are pleased to see somebody with recent experience reappointed to the role – Rowley previously served under former Prime Minister Liz Truss in 2022 – and believe this will support a smooth transition and maintain the pace of delivery.
We look forward to working alongside Lee Rowley over the coming months as the Department continues to push forward with digital planning reforms and wider policy objectives.