It has now been a month since the Labour government took office, and the pace of change that we have witnessed so far has been significant.
From Rachel Reeve’s her first speech as chancellor, putting planning at the centre of her project to rebuild Britain, to Angela Rayner announcing the consultation for changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), ensuring planning reform was at the top of the agenda before government recess.
As I wrote in The Times, it seems that planning is finally having its moment in the spotlight, with the government acknowledging the significant potential of well-resourced and strategic planning in addressing today's challenges and enhancing the quality of life for millions.
That message felt clear as I met with Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook MP, in his new office to ensure we begin our relationship with this new government on strong footing. I emphasised the constructive, solutions-orientated role that the RTPI aims to play as a longstanding partner of the Department.
Continuing that relationship, the Minister has written to RTPI President Lindsey Richards, recognising the crucial role planners play in unlocking the growth the country needs. This letter sits as a testament to the expertise, talent and perseverance of our members working in every community across this country.
While we believe this has been a strong start to the government's parliamentary term, we are not resting on our laurels and will continue to advocate on your behalf throughout the government recess and beyond.
First, we’re setting our sights on counsellors across the nations trying to understand how changes enacted by this new government will impact them and their communities. We are recommending local authority and parliamentary politicians in the UK and Ireland sign up to our Politicians in Planning Network (PiPN), which helps them share best practices, access information, and receive a regular newsletter on planning matters free of charge. If you're a planner working in a local authority, we suggest forwarding this to your counsellor so we can help improve planning decisions together.
Next, we’ll be directly addressing government’s much-needed emphasis on strategic planning. Our upcoming research into strategic planning will demonstrate the strong support the process has within the planning profession, explain why it is necessary, and advise how to enable more effective strategic spatial planning in the future.
The historical significance of the government's changes to our profession should not be ignored. Last month, the RTPI celebrated the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of our first female president, Sylvia Law, and reminding us all of the slow impact of our profession.
It is startling to see how many of the themes in Sylvia’s inauguration speech continue to resonate today, from the ‘forward and onward’ view of the Institute, to the environment and climate, resourcing, education, and the ‘scapegoating’ of planners within the ‘love-hate’ relationship the nation has with planning.
But, while it is clear that some issues have a habit of sticking around, progress does happen.
After her appointment, which symbolized a significant shift towards gender equality, progress following her presidency was gradual. It took 20 years for the Institute to welcome its second female president, Hazel McKay, and another 14 years before the third, Janet O'Neill, assumed the role. However, the pace of change accelerated after the fourth female president , with seven female presidents inaugurated in the following 15 years. The current Vice President of the RTPI, Helen Fadipe, is set to become the 11th female president next year.
Perhaps this is the story we need to remind ourselves of as we face five years of a new government, one which has the national renewal of the planning system on its mind. Progress can happen slowly, and then all at once.
