Prior + Partners’ Post

Great to see the Local Government Association support the reintroduction. of strategic planning in its response to the Government's consultation. However, there are a few things in their response that perhaps don't really reflect what is being proposed. They are right to raise concerns about resourcing but simply asking for more planners will not solve the problems LAs face. We need to pull spatial planning resources, share evidence and data and maximize the use of things like digital planning to totally rethink how we plan. Oh, and #letplannersbeplanners by getting rid of all the add-ons. Large spatial planning teams to prepare new strategic plans will help local plans and focusing resourcing on making the plan-led system work will reduce the resources needed further down stream! New strategic plans are unlikely to be based on the current London Plan or the Greater Manchester joint plan models. They will be high level spatial investment frameworks which have a small number of key policy objectives which include allocating housing targets to LPs, identifying strategic infrastructure priorities and reviewing GBs at the strategic level, where relevant. The LGA is arguing that LAs need to be empowered to prepare new strategic plans, working together across LA boundaries. If there is one thing we've learnt over the last 14 years it's that this doesn't work. Just look at the extensive research recently published by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the very recent experience in Oxford for evidence. Putting strategic planning powers in the hands of CAs or other sub-regional bodies is not about taking powers away from LPAs - it's about filling a gap in the system at the right level. Despite concerns raised by Districts in two-tier areas around this, districts have never had responsibility for preparing formal strategic plans. As a councillor said at an event last week, asking LPAs to make decisions around things like housing numbers and Green Belt is like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas. It is so important to raise concerns but we need to grasp this opportunity and find a way forward or the plan-led system will simply be a pipedream with planning by appeal being the norm for a very long time. https://lnkd.in/ehwgqRX5

In his latest piece for Building Design, Nicholas Boys Smith examines the government’s proposal to delegate planning decisions on local plan-compliant applications to officers, removing councillors from the process. While this approach seeks to streamline decision-making, Nicholas raises concerns about the potential risks of alienating local communities and undermining democratic engagement. He explores how greater clarity in local plans, combined with the implementation of National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, could reduce unpredictability and support the successful delegation of decisions. Nicholas also highlights the importance of collaborative approaches to planning, suggesting that "collaboration beats coercion" when engaging with communities on development proposals. https://lnkd.in/evpZtVdN #architecture #planning

As trailed in my presentations this year. It will be fascinating to see how this progresses. #planning #planningreformworkingpaper #housing https://lnkd.in/eKB_k7-k

Responding to the revised draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), our planning and development experts weigh in on the key topics and provide comment on the proposed changes. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e4PciiKf #NPPF #NationalPlanningPolicyFramework #PlanningPolicy

Here are the CJ thoughts on the draft NPPF. Lots to think about but I am feeling positive about lots of the ideas. Have a read and see what you think!

Read our latest blog: "The Re-emergence of Strategic Planning in England" by Professor Ben Clifford. 📘 This is the second in a series of blogs about The Bartlett School of Planning's research cluster "Planning systems, planning reforms." Key insights include: 📜 The historical context and recent developments in strategic planning. 🌆 The impact of strategic planning on urban and rural areas. 🗺️ Recommendations for policymakers and planners. 🔗 Read here: https://lnkd.in/e6bYAUt7 #UrbanPlanning #StrategicPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #TheBartlett #UCL

Join the ULI Philadelphia Central PA Regional Council for a lively discussion on both the challenges W/MBE firms face securing contracts as well as strategies to increase W/MBE participation in transformative real estate and infrastructure projects. Central Pennsylvania’s varied economic landscape offers significant opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). The region’s development projects, land use regulations, construction industry, and legal frameworks offer a wealth of prospects for small and WBE/MBE businesses to grow and succeed. We'll discuss new and upcoming developments highlighting both the opportunities available and the challenges that MBEs and WBEs might encounter in the Central PA market. The conversation will explore how to leverage local economic development initiatives, understand land use regulations, discuss best practices to capitalize on construction opportunities, and how to navigate the legal and contractual landscape. Additional speakers to be announced! Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/eppMjSud

So, by now, unless you're enjoying a silent retreat or on a full digital detox, you've probably heard about the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). But are you struggling to make sense of it? You're not alone. But don't worry Zack Simons from Landmark Chambers has just penned an insightful blog that cuts through the noise. In his article, Zack brilliantly explains the recent changes to the NPPF in practical terms. Whether you're a seasoned planner or just trying to keep up with the latest developments, this blog is a must-read. https://lnkd.in/eBf5GaKd #PlanningReform #NPPF #LandmarkChambers #UrbanPlanning #Development

Join the ULI Philadelphia Central PA Regional Council for a lively discussion on both the challenges W/MBE firms face securing contracts as well as strategies to increase W/MBE participation in transformative real estate and infrastructure projects. Central Pennsylvania’s varied economic landscape offers significant opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). The region’s development projects, land use regulations, construction industry, and legal frameworks offer a wealth of prospects for small and WBE/MBE businesses to grow and succeed. We'll discuss new and upcoming developments highlighting both the opportunities available and the challenges that MBEs and WBEs might encounter in the Central PA market.   The conversation will explore how to leverage local economic development initiatives, understand land use regulations, discuss best practices to capitalize on construction opportunities, and how to navigate the legal and contractual landscape. Learn more and register today: https://lnkd.in/eppMjSud

HARWORTH’S BLUEPRINT FOR GROWTH ✅ We need to refocus our planning system.   Planning is one of the first building blocks of sustainable development. But the system is more time consuming and complex than ever before.   Squeezed local authority resources are slowing down the process, creating major delays. Our Chief Executive Lynda Shillaw hosted a panel on Planning Reform at UKREiiF, a poll taken during that panel showed 93% of the room said we need to put more resources into planning. Uncertainty is deterring private sector investment and preventing regional economic growth. There’s a lack of joined-up thinking in the delivery of strategic infrastructure, housing and employment space. New regulatory requirements are creating complexity for developers, while outdated policies around the Green Belt and undersupply of brownfield land are preventing development from happening at scale. There’s consensus that reform is needed, but what about the specifics? In our Blueprint for Growth – recently launched at UKREiiF – we discuss this further and set out what we see as the solutions, including: 📝 Create a regional planning regime for large-scale regeneration projects – enabling decisions to be taken at a strategic level by elected members and officers 📝 Give mayoral combined authorities more responsibility for spatial planning – this is happening via Greater Manchester Combined Authority Places for Everyone, and Harworth is working closely with local authorities including Bolton Council, Wigan Council, Bury Council and Rochdale Borough Council to deliver sustainable regeneration that supports regional growth 📝 Provide greater flexibility for schemes with transformational opportunity to be approved outside of local plans 📝 Increase resources for planning authorities – and use Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) for larger schemes to secure dedicated resources Read more in our Blueprint for Growth here: https://lnkd.in/et7DkaYe #planning #growth #regeneration