The RTPI has emphasised the importance of the Government reinvesting in the planning system through planning fees, addressing, to some extent, the profession's long-standing call for additional resources.
Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said: “These proposals, many of which the RTPI has long campaigned for, have the potential to fundamentally change how we plan our communities, power our homes, commute to work, and take our kids to school.
“If implemented correctly, and with the measures taken to resource the planning system, they will shape the way the next generation interacts with the built environment.”
Planning fees: “The last decade saw budget reductions in local planning authorities that lead to unmanageable workloads, insufficient staff, and overstretched workers. We need a sufficient arsenal of qualified, well-resourced planners to deliver the affordable homes, public services and critical infrastructure.
“By deciding to invest planning fees into planning services, the Government not only addresses a key request long advocated for by the RTPI, but demonstrates that it has listened to our repeated concerns about the chronic underfunding of the planning system and the resulting impact on day-to-day delivery.”
Strategic planning: “Our research shows that an overwhelming majority of planners wanted to see a change to strategic planning in England.
“Strong, effective strategic planning is essential for ensuring new developments are located and designed to encourage walking and cycling, rather than locking residents into a reliance on car travel.”
Development corporations: “Development Corporations, which place town planners at the heart of the development process, can, under the right conditions, deliver significantly more housing than the status quo.
“These organisations bring together planners, developers, and local political representatives to work collaboratively towards a strong regional economic vision and a shared purpose.”
Demonstrating the value of planning: “Planners will be pleased to see many of the points we have long advocated for make it into the bill. But, there are still concerns that negative perceptions of the planning system could undermine public trust in planning decisions and the plan-led system.
“We believe that a clear statement of the ‘purpose of planning’ in the legislation would help show the public the important work planning does to improving their communities.
Chief Planning Officers: “To support these reforms, we need measures that ensure planning has the leadership and resources to succeed. Establishing a statutory Chief Planning Officer in every Local Planning Authority would directly support a new national scheme of delegation and place competency at the heart of decision making.”
