UK planning needs major reform to deliver environmental gains

Better processes are just one area in which Britain needs to improve on its plan-making framework in order to reap economic, ecological, and social benefits. 

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has published a major response to its recent consultation, which asked industry stakeholders what steps should be taken in order to streamline and make systems more effective. 

While acknowledging the positive potential of UK Government proposals including the introduction of new gateway assessments and placing an emphasis on local area ‘visions’, the organisation also argues there are many other aspects of planning that urgently need to be rethought. 

Resourcing of local authorities is a major cause for concern, as several changes that have been tabled are guaranteed to add more pressure to councils. Local leaders should also be empowered to encourage public participation in plan-making processes, while more certainty is needed now on changes to national policy to avoid unnecessary delays in the future. Strategic planning should also be prioritised, and major infrastructure investment from central government must be prioritised to avoid the detrimental impact on area plans when funding is withdrawn. 

It is essential that we start to see clarity and certainty about the Government’s planning and infrastructure reforms. This will help in creating an appropriate national and strategic context for plan-making,’ said Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute. 

‘It will also reduce the burden on local planning authorities while adapting to changes in national planning policy, navigating contentious debates over housing numbers, land use, and aligning plans with uncertain transport and other infrastructure investments,’ she continued. ‘For local councils to effectively implement the plan-making system and clear the Local Plans backlog that has been allowed to build up during more than a decade of cuts to planning services, they need three essential components – local ambition, political support, and sufficient resources to carry out the necessary preparatory work.’

More on planning and the environment: 

National Infrastructure Assessment makes net zero recommendations to UK Government

Local government needs defined duties, devolved powers, lasting finance to restore nature

The Future Is Local, says new Chris Skidmore net zero report

Image: Andrew Neel