The Labour Party has released its 2024 General Election manifesto, outlining plans to appoint more planning officers and deliver 1.5 new homes.
Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: "Labour has made planning reform a central focus of its manifesto pledges, demonstrating how planning can be a solution, not an obstacle to economic growth.
"While we are confident that Keir Starmer’s aspirations for our planning system can be achieved, he will need to quickly share the details of his reforms with planners to see them realised in his first parliamentary term. As our Planifesto made clear, fast progress will need to include restoring funding for planning services, kick-starting stalled local plans, and giving strategic direction at a mayoral level from day one."
On appointing more planning officers:
“While it is positive to see that Labour understands the pressures placed on our understaffed and overworked profession, we want to see more ambition in its approach to resourcing. The RTPI will continue to make the case for further investment in planning to put our nation's economic growth on firm footing.”
On devolution:
“It is positive to see that the manifesto outline plans to require all combined and mayoral authorities to strategically plan for housing growth in their areas. Our Planifesto has called for metro mayors and combined authorities to take and use planning powers that strengthen collaboration across housing market areas.”
On housing delivery:
“It is positive to see Labour outline plans to work in partnership with local leaders and communities, to build a new generation of new towns, urban extensions and regeneration projects. Our Planifesto has called for the next government to support councils to play a ‘master developer’ role, utilising tools like development corporations to fully harness the potential of planning for the benefit of their communities."
On infrastructure:
“It is crucial that any changes to planning policy are made to improve the lives of communities who call our towns, cities, and rural areas home. To avoid piecemeal developments, Labour's changes to planning policy for homes and major infrastructure should be aligned with the 10-year infrastructure strategy and industrial strategy.”
The RTPI will provide more detailed responses to all of the political parties’ manifestos on our elections hub following their release.
