Editorial E: rtpinews@rtpi.org.uk
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3 POINT PLAN Planners explain how they would improve the planning system
Louise Cutts Principal planner PEGASUS GROUP The UK needs housing and the combined lack of effort to address this is inexcusable. Planning is just one component part, but one for which planners must take responsibility. We have complained about our lack of status – well, what better opportunity to make a difference. It is heartening to see a level of national political momentum to address the housing crisis, but this must be harnessed by planners to drive forward local plans and applications. RTPI’s Code of Conduct could be altered to remind planners of their responsibility to plan rather than procrastinate. Creating an additional payment for early plan submission under the New Homes Bonus could focus minds particularly if accompanied with a clawback clause for delay or likely unsoundness. This might ensure that the good intentions of local politicians are not lost in the seasonal rush for political votes. Intelligent local authority planning resource must be diverted away from the long consideration of smaller proposals to swift consideration of large-scale housing applications and the delivery of local plans.
YOUR INSTITUTE, YOUR QUESTIONS I have seen a lot of coverage of Homes for Britain in the media recently. I understand the RTPI is involved somehow, but should we be getting involved in a political campaign when we are a charity? What exactly is Homes for Britain and what is the RTPI’s role? JOHN DOWNEY The RTPI is a founding partner of Homes for Britain, a coalition of organisations with an interest in the housing needs of the nation. The group of organisations are running a campaign to bring together all those who believe that everyone has a right to a decent affordable home to call their own. Under the ‘Homes for Britain’ banner this coalition is asking for all political parties to commit to ending the housing crisis within a generation. The campaign built up to a rally on Westminster on 17 March at which 2,300 people from almost 300 different organisations came together in a truly unprecedented day for the housing sector. So could this be the election when housing finally becomes the political priority it deserves to be? With the advocates we have in our sector, absolutely.
1 ] Introduce a mandatory proactive approach to providing housing in nonprotected areas as a requirement in the RTPI’s Code of Conduct.
2 ] Increase the New Homes Bonus with a significant additional payment on Local Plan submission with a clawback clause for delay.
3 ] Shift LPA resources from the lengthy consideration of small-scale proposals towards Local Plan preparation and largescale housing permission delivery.
POSITION POINTS
PLANNING’S POSITIVE ECONOMIC OUTCOMES Given housing is a key issue at the election, there is growing interest in its wider economic and social effects. The House Builders’ Federation (HBF) recently released research that shows that the impact of housing on the national economy is significant. No surprises there. The impact of planning remains unexplored by the HBF report. The RTPI’s ‘economic value of planning’ work stream aims to develop a better understanding of how planning can deliver positive economic outcomes. The ‘costs of planning’ have largely been a matter of assertion by a small but vocal number of critics, with little robust or systematic evidence for their negative economic view of planning. The Value of Planning work aims to introduce accuracy into the debate and facilitate evidence-based policy-making. Read our first report: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/valueofplanning
PLANNING IN THE NEXT PARLIAMENT The RTPI’s ‘Planning in the next Parliament’ outlines 10 key proposals for the new government to implement. These have been developed over an extensive policy and research programme including consultation with political parties and key stakeholders. Given the changes of the past five years we do not want new legislation to allow built-in changes to embed. The RTPI has been concerned about the big resource cuts to planning, which is slowing the system. The RTPI wants to end the housing crisis within a generation, including releasing public sector land for homes. We look forward to working productively with whoever governs. Find out more here: www.bit.ly/1GbZExz
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24/04/2015 14:46