Mid Term Review of government planning policies.

1. Alister Scott is Professor
of Spatial Planning
and Governance at the
The best
r e v i e w
Birmingham School of the
laid plans
Built Environment
T
he Government’s agenda for
P o l i c y:
planning is predicated on delivering
economic growth. Despite
this prevailing ambition, the
cumulative impact of the National Can the UK build its way out of its economic
Infrastructure Plan 2011, Localism Act
2011, National Planning Policy Framework troubles? Three experts take a look at the
(NPPF) 2012 and Growth and Infrastructure
Bill (GIB) 2012, raises key questions as to Government’s plans for infrastructure
whether vital components of the growth
agenda are missing and the extent to which Collectively, this moving escalator generates resultant policy vacuum has led to many
they are generating the long-term certainty uncertainty for planners and developers alike, local authorities being reluctant to
that is now needed. raising important social justice concerns. accommodate neighbouring authorities’
Recent Government pronouncements Uncertainty is also evident within the housing requirements, particularly where
display a tension between economic NPPF target for local authorities to have green belt extensions are necessary. Thus,
growth and opposing environmental and an approved local plan by April 2013. An new housing proposals are significantly
community interests. All three are integral approved plan creates a statutory framework below what is required, with no strategic
to securing growth and, by focusing on for long term investment decisions. oversight to identify optimum sites or
any one in isolation as plans are prepared, However some 52% of local authorities solutions for development.
policy disintegration and opposition will not have such plan in place, leading to Uncertainty is the enemy of good
may be created. By investing in up-front opportunistic applications seeking approvals planning and long-term economic
and inclusive approaches, using impact based on meeting sustainable development growth. The current policy direction is
assessments correctly to identify needs, arguments. This short-term and spatially- leading to uncertain, opportunistic and
benefits and alternatives, the polarisation biased opportunism counters good planning disintegrative planning predicated on
that characterises current debates such as practice which uses agreed plans as the basis growth, growth and growth. Far better
HS2 can be reduced. Thus process should for making long-term decisions for an area we change course to more strategic, pro-
become a key ingredient in building a more in the public interest. active and inclusive planning to secure and
resilient development jigsaw. Uncertainty is also evident with maximise economic, environmental and
In England the ‘slimline’ NPPF purports the abolition of regional planning. The community benefits.
to set development priorities for the
country, empowering planners and elected
members to translate generic policies into
plans and decisions, although it is crucially
lacking any spatial component. Yet since
its launch in March 2012 there have been
incremental additions: the Taylor review of
planning guidance; housing extensions; and
conversions from business to residential use.
Furthermore, the GIB has provisions to take
some planning decisions away from local
authority control, reduce agreed affordable
housing quotas and remove agreements
to provide community infrastructure. Investing in up-front and inclusive approaches can help minimise the type of rows seen over HS2, says Alister Scott
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