Barbour EHS’ Post

Last week the Royal Town Planning Institute published the most comprehensive research on strategic planning that there has been (I believe) and as part of this launch, Hannah Hickman and I have written short blogs reflecting on our findings. There is no doubt that the absence of a universal and effective approach to strategic planning over the last 14 years has done untold damage - to the economy, killing investor confidence; to meeting housing needs; to our ability to address climate change and manage natural resources, especially water; and to our infrastructure, with a complete lack of investment in strategic infrastructure in many areas. But it also impacted severely on our profession, with many, many experienced strategic planners walking away and retiring. Many areas have attempted to plan strategically despite the system and, according to our research, this has been with varying degrees of success. But thanks to their grit and determination we have some strong evidence to help us move forward quickly (or as quick as legislation process will allow us). Thanks to all of you once again for contributing to this important research whether through our surveys, roundtables or case studies - we couldn't have done it without you! https://lnkd.in/eZvtc4M9

There are a few interesting observations in this article in The Planner. The planning system is so unnecessarily complicated. I doubt many would disagree. I know that there is all sorts of conversation, debate and Govt consultation on ways to improve it. I wonder if applications could be broken down into 3 stages: 1. Application for the principle of development 2. Following approval applicants engage with statutory consultees directly to obtain technical consents 3. A technical details application which also includes what is normally discharged via condition I know it sounds too simple, perhaps flawed, perhaps already debated, considered and ruled out and there are so many what ifs......the neigbours, the planning judgement and so on but could some applications at least be the subject of a simpler process to lessen the risk for developers and the workload for planning officers? "Complexity is impressive, but simplicity is genius." - Lance Wallnau A little less of one and more of the other might create some forward momentum in the planning system. https://lnkd.in/e-rfAW6z

BLOG: "In a world of uncertainty and rapid change, the value of professional, qualified planners cannot be overstated." RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills MRTPI FICE FRSA MCMI CMgr writes about the need to invest in planners. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eSH2fUuC

❗ The Royal Town Planning Institute's response to DLUHC's Accelerated Planning Service consultation is now out. Decision making times clearly need to improve, but we question whether targeting one aspect of planning services - non-EIA major commercial developments - will bring about the systemic, sustained improvements to the system and its capacity that we want to see. Indeed, there are some major risks in doing so. Nice to see a step towards cost recovery for some planning application fees, though...

🔍 Our Top 3 Tips for Working Successfully with Local Councils and Obtaining Planning Permission 🏗️ Navigating the planning permission process can be complex, but with the right approach, you can streamline your efforts and enhance your chances of success. Here are our top three tips: 1. Engage Early and Communicate Clearly - Start discussions with the local council as early as possible. Building a relationship with the planning officers and understanding their concerns can be invaluable. - Clearly articulate your project’s benefits and address potential issues upfront. Transparent communication helps build trust and paves the way for smoother negotiations. 2.Understand Local Policies and Guidelines - Familiarize yourself with the local planning policies and guidelines. Each council has its own set of rules and priorities, so ensuring your proposal aligns with these is crucial. - Demonstrating that your project adheres to local development plans and contributes positively to the community can significantly bolster your application. 3. Seek Professional Advice - Consulting with planning consultants and arhitects who have expertise in local planning can provide you with strategic insights and support. - Professional advice can help you navigate complex regulations, prepare robust applications, and effectively address any objections or conditions imposed by the council. By following these tips, you'll be better equipped to work collaboratively with local councils and achieve planning permission success. 🏡✨ Matthew Anderson . Property Expert Winova Properties #PlanningPermission #LocalCouncil #Construction #UrbanPlanning #PropertyDevelopment #ProfessionalTips #CommunityDevelopment

More than 95% of planners call for change to strategic planning as government consults on NPPF The new government has made it clear that it intends to promote a more strategic approach to planning. New research, commissioned by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), revealed overwhelming support for effective strategic planning in England across the public and private sectors, with 96% of planners agreeing that a change to current practice is needed. Research from the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments at the University of the West of England is the first nationwide study that seeks to understand the nature of current strategic planning practice. It shows that over 80% of planners are in favour of strategic planning being mandated by the Government. While statutory strategic planning is widely regarded as vital for the management of key issues that cannot be addressed properly at the local scale, like building economic, climate, and nature resilience, and articulating long-term development and infrastructure needs, it was almost completely abolished in 2010. Since then, there has been no mandatory requirement for a nationwide approach to strategic planning in England. Today, parts of England remain without strategic planning activity. Although the new Labour government has signalled strong support for the practice, announcing ambitions to have universal coverage of strategic plans by 2029, researchers say it will not be achievable without a new generation of strategic planners. https://lnkd.in/e3vXrvwr

Our pre-application service will make sure your proposals can move forward with confidence. Our team of experts will support you in navigating the complexity of planning policy and guidance, to plan a route that'll ensure your proposals stand the best prospect of being supported by officers. By hosting discussions with officers and local communities early in your planning journey, we can help you avoid unnecessary costs, save time and prevent headaches in the long run. Pro-active, collaborative and creative planning advice you can trust. Click the link to see how we can help: https://loom.ly/zMqqOh4 #planning #planningcompany #UKplanning #EdenPlanning #innovativeplanning #peoplefirstplanning #innovativespaces #Londonplanning

It was a pleasure to be invited by the Planning Institute of Australia NSW to participate in a panel forum last night on "Getting the Transit Oriented Developments right". Whilst master-planning for TOD's is no doubt essential, Councils will have to approve a huge amount of dwellings to meet their targets and achieve those masterplans. Our current development assessment system is the slowest and most complicated in the country, its time to have a conversation about DA reform. We need a less adversarial and more collaborative process, one where visibility of assessment issues is clear from both proponent and assessor, that quickly gets to the key issue, and makes a decision. We're generally pretty good at master-planning, and the planning industry can make a difference by driving the conversation about areas where we can improve.

In part 3 of our Navigating Queensland’s Planning Framework: Understanding Key Concepts series, Partner Mitchell Osborne looks at the relevance of planning schemes in development assessment under the Planning Act 2016. Understanding the role these schemes play in development assessment is essential for developers and planners navigating the complexities of Queensland’s planning system. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7t7kmF2