Delivering the value of planning
On 16 August 2016, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) published “Delivering the Value of Planning”, one of a series of policy and research reports setting out the Institute’s thinking on better planning.
The report was written by Professor David Adams, Michael O'Sullivan, Dr Andy Inch, Professor Malcolm Tait, Professor Craig Watkins and Dr Michael Harris. It was based on research conducted by The University of Glasgow, The University of Sheffield and the RTPI, and followed previous work on the economic value of planning, published in 2014.
The report explains how good planning can deliver sustainable economic growth and housing, and points out why we are not realising the value of planning in practice compared to parts of continental Europe. It suggests that strategic leadership is needed from local authority planners to spur public sector-led development.
A survey of planners working in England, published in the report, revealed:
- 73% feel changes to the planning system have reduced their ability to deliver.
- 53 % think that planning reforms have held planners back in ensuring more housing is built.
- Nearly 70% think they are less able to deliver the benefits of planning compared to 10 years ago.
The report warns that budget cuts and continual changes in planning policy over the last 30 years have stripped public sector planners of the powers and resources, resulting in a system that is ‘…more complicated and more uncertain, with a reduced ability to ensure that development is well-planned and connected to transport and facilities, and a narrower range and number of affordable housing to rent or buy’.
The report calls for:
- Stronger public sector-led management of land supply.
- A stronger private sector role in development partnerships.
- Better resourced planning departments.
- A more stable planning system that provides greater certainty for developers and communities.
- Better integration of planning activity with infrastructure provision.
Phil Williams, RTPI President, said, “For too long planning has been relegated to a reactive, bureaucratic function, instead of being able to plan strategically to drive development, jobs and growth… It is absolutely crucial we resource councils’ planning teams properly, so that planners can operate strategically. We want to see closer integration of planning activities with councils’ economic development and devolved areas of responsibilities to guide private sector investment and keep up the momentum for building.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.