award winning architects

Thursday, 27 October 2011 00:00

Graham Stephens, Planning, Landscape, Urban Design

Graham Stephens

Every Half A Generation The Government Change The Way Developments Are Planned

Planning is in transition...

Again.

Every half a generation, the Government of the time seems to want and change the way developments are planned, how our rural heritage is protected, where and how decisions are made and what needs, and doesn't need, planning permission.

Every change has wide-ranging implications on the UK construction industry, investment profiles and delivery of new homes, jobs and infrastructure. This time around the change is threefold: firstly, the involvement of neighbourhoods and the role they have to play in localised plan making and decision making; secondly, the abolition of the tier of Regional Planning and the associated top down housing targets, and lastly, the reintroduction of the old favourite, Local Plans.

All these issues are addressed in the National Planning Policy Framework, recently consulted upon. Bodies from the National Trust to the Women's Institute have expressed their views (both to HMGovt and the Telegraph!) and one can be sure that such powerful lobbying will result in changes to strategy before legislation is brought in.

Where does this leave Planners and developers? Essentially, in an uncertain world, where case law and ministerial statements change what we have to consider on a weekly basis. Planning lawyers have never been busier as the Courts churn out ever important judgements about regulations and policy interpretations. Local Planning Authorities are under-resourced and struggling to keep abreast of both the requirements placed upon them by Government and the requirements they must in turn place upon applicants – requirements that are making the process of formulating and implementing planning application strategies ever more complicated and technical.

So, while the Government of the UK decide what to do, we bravely march on. The recent coordination of the 1,000 acre Al Wakrah Waterfront Masterplan in Qatar has been a very enjoyable personal distraction from the daily turmoil of the UK planning system, but then again, how complicated can a Qatari planning system really be? Answers on a postcard please.

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