Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), said: “The Chancellor’s announcement of £65m to drive digital improvement in the planning system is a positive step and aligns with RTPI’s calls to upgrade this aspect of the system and will free planners to help realise societal outcomes.
“But there are many other areas of the planning system that need greater resources which is why the RTPI initially called for £500m over four years. We look forward to working closely with the government on the forthcoming planning reforms and will continue to make the case for greater resourcing for the planning profession, which will be instrumental in delivering a planning system that addresses housing supply, climate change and economic well-being for everyone.
“A three-year settlement worth £4.8bn for local authorities is desperately needed and the RTPI hopes that some of this money can be used to reverse the backslide in expenditure on planning, which has fallen by 29% since 2009-10 in England. The RTPI will continue to champion the implementation of Chief Planning Officers in every local authority who can ensure expenditure on planning is used wisely.”
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