The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has emphasised that while the Government's Spring Statement rightly places planning at the centre of its economic agenda, achieving housing targets will require more than just planning reform.
Robbie Calvert, the RTPI’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs said: “Planning reforms are at the heart of the Government’s growth plan. The acknowledgement from the Office for Budget Responsibility that planning will be central to increasing the UK’s economic activity over the coming years is encouraging.
“But, while reforms are important, more could be unlocked by investing in planning itself. Our research has found that planning reform and increased housing development could miss out on over £70 billion in additional value by not investing in planning. We won't achieve the economic growth this country desperately needs if we don't significantly invest in the planning system.
“Beyond this forecast, there will be additional ambitions for planning services resulting from the implementation of the Affordable Housing Programme, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and local government reform.
“Planning consents can't do this alone, we need to ensure that the entire construction industry is geared up to deliver on this scale.”
