Andrew-Barry-Purssell

Localism in London Future of London Seminar 27 March 2012

Health warning • This is the Mayoral pre-election period • So I will be avoiding areas of controversy • And will not be commenting on the views of any of the candidates

Localism - some thoughts • London is different; not the same as the former regions • Localism won't mean the same everywhere (it wouldn't be "local" otherwise!)

• In London, "local" is a particularly complex concept (remember the 90s) • Londonwide and borough and neighbourhood - not a zero sum game • Lets innovate

Localism in London "My intention is that the London Plan should provide a foundation for more local action, providing a framework, direction and information resource for planning boroughs, neighbourhoods and individual developments..."

Boris Johnson, London Plan EiP July 2010

Localism in London "Delivery is not just for us in City Hall – boroughs and neighbourhoods have an increasingly important role, and I want to see this Plan used by them as a resource for localism, helping them develop and then implement local approaches to meet their needs, but also add up Londonwide to more than the sum of the parts. That multi-faceted approach to what “local” means has been the genius of London over the last two thousand years; it will help ensure we have a city we can be proud to hand on to those who follow us".

Boris Johnson, London Plan Foreword, July 2011

Londonwide level • Policy approach: •London Plan: shorter, sharper, more strategic •Pragmatic approach to planning decisions

• Organisational change: •Amalgamation into GLA of: –London Homes and Communities Agency –London Development Agency

• Delivery as well as strategy •Bring together housing finance, land assembly, regeneration and planning

The (draft) National Planning Policy Framework • Didn't refer to London • Government intends to revoke GOL Circular 1/2008 • NPPF policies intended to apply in absence of local plan • Biggest impetus for localism in planning

NPPF - the Mayor's Response • "London Plan should be expression of NPPF in London..the prime source of policy in the capital" • Need a specific reference to London • Scope for Mayor to work with others to produce successor to 1/2008 • Need to allow for locally-sensitive policy approaches (eg housing in London)

The future..some thoughts • Will continue to be a Londonwide angle to localism • NPPF could support a new relationship • between Mayor, boroughs and neighbourhoods • between public and private sectors • between London and central Government • Money will be tight - need to work together to make available resources stretch • Scope to go further: business rate reform etc.

"Courage is needed to seize the moment when it arrives and to make a resolute start" - Patrick Abercrombie, 1944