Dr. Peter Geraghty served as President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) from 2013 to 2014, and is President of the Planning Officers’ Society. This blog post is written by a guest author, and their opinions may differ from those of the RTPI.
Understandably, there has been considerable focus on the recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and other planning consultations. However, the publication of the White Paper on English Devolution in December 2024 has equally significant implications for planners and planning. I believe that the new devolution landscape could present a real opportunity for a planning renaissance with local government at its heart. The White Paper acknowledges that local councils are the foundation of our state. In the White Paper the government expresses its desire to end the current parent-child dynamic believing that Local government has not been empowered to live up to its potential and people have suffered as a result.
The White Paper seems to me to set the ground for a holistic view of spatial planning undertaken at different levels depending on the particular circumstances. Government has clearly set out its desire for a move towards a universal system of strategic planning with all areas, being required to develop Spatial Development Strategies over a broader geography, and within a defined timeframe.
Recent history clearly demonstrates that strategic planning cannot simply be about amalgamating a group of small-scale plans or initiatives. A larger canvas to guide growth is required, rather than an opportunist incremental approach based around existing urban areas. This only reinforces spatial inequalities and results in suboptimal outcomes. The UK2070 Commission has found that the UK is one of the most spatially unequal economies in the developed world. The nature and causes of spatial inequality are problems that need to be tackled at all levels. Issues such as infrastructure, natural resource distribution, economic activity and climate change impacts occur across a range of geographies and spatial interdependencies.
The constraints imposed by administrative or political boundaries impedes the ability to plan for these issues. The duty to cooperate has failed to deliver strategic planning or comprehensive planning outcomes. Devolution provides the opportunity to break that impasse.
A recent survey as part of research commissioned by the RTPI identified the reasons for not engaging in strategic planning as a lack of a national statutory or policy requirement and political challenges to cross-boundary and collaborative working.
The Egan Review powerfully makes the point that: Places where people want to live – and that are sustainable – do not happen by chance. They are the product of visionary thinking and commitment by highly skilled civic and national leaders, developers and professionals, with the full engagement and support of local partners and communities.
The government’s goal of universal coverage in England of Strategic Authorities can create the opportunity for visionary thinking and commitment to deliver national strategic priorities in England such as housing investment, reducing the productivity disparity between regions, tackling climate change impacts and regional infrastructure projects. The government’s intention to establish a legislative framework setting out the powers that go with each type of authority is critical. The Government has stated the framework is a floor on its ambition, not a ceiling.
Currently, there is a cadre of planners who have little or no experience in practicing strategic planning. Even more significantly, there is a generation of politicians who have never worked in a strategic planning environment.
According to latest Government survey of local planning departments in 2023 it found that 91 per cent (nine out of 10) had some difficulty recruiting staff while 97 per cent reported having planning skills gaps.
The survey, highlighted that senior and mid-level development management roles experienced the highest levels of vacancies and the most difficult to recruit for. Of the respondents, 78 per cent reported “significant barriers” competing for talent and 77 per cent said it was difficult to attract appropriately qualified candidates.
The report also identified that as well as skills shortages, there was also an indication that the skills required of local authority planners have been simplified. Reforms in recent decades have worked to reduce the discretion and autonomy of planners. Instead, there has been a narrowing of the scope and role of planners, with statutory duties being prioritised over strategic planning and the quality of decision-making.
I have argued for many years that there it should be a national priority to recruit and retain experienced planning professionals. There should be a focus on ensuring that chartered planners are recognised for the essential contribution they make to society and that planning is a career that has longevity and enduring appeal so that local authorities and other organisations have the range of expertise they desperately require. Planners with strategic planning skills will be critical to developing Spatial Development Strategies. We need to grow and expand the scope of the profession and create a broad base of expertise and skills for the future needs of a post devolution society.
The government’s commitment to provide £46 million to support capacity and capability in Local Planning Authorities together with recruiting 300 “graduates and apprentices” to work as junior planning officers is most welcome but it should only be the beginning. If we are to meet the challenge of recruiting and retaining sufficient planners, we must make the profession more appealing and raise the standing of planners. It is equally important to ensure that those who join the profession do not leave it mid or late career. Devolution presents an opportunity to change the negative narrative that has developed around planning and the planning system.
The Devolution agenda can create the conditions for a planning renaissance where sustainable development can be achieved. Planning can be seen in a positive light and as a tool for supporting growth. It is a chance to demonstrate the power of planning and to inspire a future generation to become chartered town and country planners.
