The Planner November 2015

NOVEMBER 2015 A PRESIDENT ABROAD JANET ASKEW’S TRAVELS // p.22 • BIG DATA DILEMMAS: THE ECTP CEU DUBLIN BIENNIAL // p26 • CONTINENTAL RIFT? HOW PLANNING SYSTEMS DIFFER ACROSS EUROPE // p.30 • HANHAM HALL’S RTPI AWARDS PROJECT // p.40

T H E B U S I N ES S M O N T H LY FO R P L A N N I N G P R O F ES S IO N A LS

EASING CHINA’S GROWING PAINS INTERNATIONAL ISSUE: HOW PLANNING IN CHINA IS EVOLVING AS A LEVER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

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CONTENTS

PLANNER 06 18

THE

NO VEMBER

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“IT ISN’T ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, IT’S ABOUT THE BUSINESS MODELS THAT MAKE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE WORK”

NEWS

6 More support is needed for neighbourhood plans to blossom

7 England missing out on onshore wind benefits 8 Party conferences: promises vs practicalities 9 Office-to-residential made permanent 10 Review process colours Scottish conference backdrop 11 Housing and planning bill receives mixed response

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OPINION 12 Chris Shepley: Onenation government stuck in a groove 16 Zoe Green: Delivering great public space in Colombia 16 Clive Harridge: A year like no other for planning 17 Jacob Bonehill: Fixing foundations: Hidden routes to localism?

17 Smart cities: old bytes in new cables?

IINSIGHT

FEATURES S 18 Take a tiger by the g tail: A look at planning in China

34 Decisions in focus: 3 D Development decisions, round-up and analysis ro

22 A president abroad:: Janet Askew reflects on n issues facing planners across the world

38 Legal landscape: 3 Opinion, blogs, and O news from the legal side n of o planning

26 Tech and the city: Simon Wicks covers the European Council of Spatial Planners’ biennial conference in Dublin 30 What lessons can the UK learn from other parts of Europe on how best to plan for and direct development?

Gerry Hughes offers pointers

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40 Case study: RTPI 4 A Award for Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment: Hanham Hall, South Gloucestershire 42 Plan Ahead – our pick of upcoming events for the planning profession and beyond 44 RTPI round-up: News and interviews from the institute 50 Plan B: Not such a smart city

QUOTE UNQUOTE

“THE CENTRAL WATERFRONT IS THE FRONT LIVING ROOM OF OUR CITY. PEOPLE ARRIVE AND MAKE THEIR MIND UP IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES” ALAN WATT, DUNDEE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION C O V E R I M A G E | S A M PA R I J

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22/10/2015 16:59

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PLAN UPFRONT

Leaderr Whither localism in the Housing and Planning Bill?

– The new Housing and Planning Bill has, unsurprisingly perhaps, roused many to express concern and bewilderment about the government’s plans to wrest control from local authorities. In a variety of ways, government will have power to bypass local councils and thus speed up house building, with planning minister Brandon Lewis talking of a “national crusade” that will see a million homes built between now and 2020.

In every direction you turn, the bill is suggesting weakened local council powers. Housing schemes planned to be sited close to major national infrastructure projects can be removed from local authority control and included instead in the national infrastructure planning system; the guaranteeing of new starter homes for first-

Martin Read time buyers will see local authorities under a legal obligation to provide such homes on reasonably sized development sites; and of course the officeto-residential permitted development right has now been made permanent.

There is, of course, plenty more. And there’s an overriding sense of government revving up the housing development engine, and that seems to be the dog whistle message they wish to convey – that

government is making things happen, breaking free from the bureaucratic shackles and boosting the economy, at both a national and local level.

What seems remarkable in all of this loosening of local planning involvement, welcomed by developers, is the potential for imbalances in resulting developments, lopsided local provision and a potentially deleterious effect on housing quality.

With so many ways of breaking out of or entirely disregarding local plans where they conflict with government’s broader objectives, what chance of any semblance of spatial planning? How balanced

"IF THERE IS NO CONSULTATION, NOR SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THE CREATION OF HIGH­QUALITY PLACES, CAN THEIR SUCCESS REALLY BE GUARANTEED?"

can these developments be with the schools, leisure facilities and other amenities that will be required to serve them?

It feels as if government wants these critical components of any plan to be sorted out only once new developments exist, rather than necessarily structured alongside them.

Houses first, their servicing later. Communities need a mix of amenities to be a success, but if there is no consultation, nor safeguards to ensure the creation of high-quality places, can their success really be guaranteed?

It’s tempting to see this as another opportunity to exhort local authority planners to 'think outside of the box', but instead I find myself wondering at how so many of these newly defined opportunities to bypass local councils are in effect bypassing local residents and the whole concept of localism.

It's going to be a very interesting road to 2020.

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NEWS

Analysis { NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS

More support is needed for neighbourhood plans to blossom

By Laura Edgar and Martha Harris Developers and local authorities should give more support to and take part in the development of neighbourhood plans.

That was the message from the speakers at the RTPI Young Planners’ Conference in Southampton last month.

Speaking about strategic planning and local planning, Andrew Whitaker, planning director at the Home Builders Federation, said he believes things are actually getting better.

“I think the removal of regional strategies (in 2010) was probably a poor idea, but I think a lot of local authorities have now noticed that being an island is not in their best interests, and they do have to work with their neighbouring authorities.”

Having said that, Whitaker went on to say that neighbourhood plans are a “big challenge” for the development and housing industries.

As well as citing the number of meetings that have to be attended, he said the sites being put forward through neighbourhood plans “are not necessarily the sites that would come out through planning sustainability appraisals”.

Whitaker added that he would like to see “more developers taking part in neighbourhood plan development”.

Gavin Parker, chair of planning studies at the University of Reading, also spoke of the necessity for wider support for “increasingly

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localised planning decisions”, but expressed concern for the influencing politics behind these plans.

“We need to make sure that the issues discussed at a neighbourhood level are effectively depoliticised, because the politics of planning at that scale have a great importance for what we are trying to achieve in bringing forward sustainable development”.

Parker said that the “big problem” with NPs is how many policies within the plans will actually come to fruition.

Whitaker echoed this view, saying that the “big elephant in the room” about neighbourhood planning is that authorities don’t realise that local plans need to be kept current in order for neighbourhood plans not to become out of date. “I think a lot of local communities will be very disappointed with the fact that their neighbourhood plan isn’t forever”, he said.

Donna Moles, senior planning officer and neighbourhood development plan officer at Arun District Council spoke of what she believed to be wide misconceptions about neighbourhood plans, asserting that they were “pro-growth”. She urged authorities to act practically in making sure that they have resources in place to support a neighbourhood plan. “It is not an add-on”, she said. “[Neighbourhood plans] are here to stay and you need to be involved.”

WHAT ELSE DID THEY SAY?

“Why do local politicians not follow the National Planning Policy Framework? Well, they pander to the vocal minority.”

Andrew Whitaker, planning director, Home Builders Federation

“We won’t be able to address the housing crisis if we don’t correctly address the productivity gap in the North.”

Trudi Elliott, chief executive, RTPI

“It is a really important message I am trying to get across. If you talk to people, if you talk to families, a lot of small towns and hamlets have said to us, ‘you know what, we do think we need a bit of growth’ and dare I say it, I think they trust us a bit more as a national park authority because they believe the badge and we can get to the environmental issues and help them if it goes a bit far.”

Tim Slaney, planning director, South Downs National Park

I M AG E S | RT P I

26/10/2015 16:49

PLAN UPFRONT

£211m

– Scottish onshore wind energy turnover

WEBINAR

Is neighbourhood i hb h planning working? Tune in to our 17th November webinar

£402m

– UK onshore wind energy turnover

70% 1.4

More than of consents granted were in Scotland

10%

Less than of consents granted were in England

We’ll be seeking answers to these critical questions from three neighbourhood planning experts who’ll present their case live on our web site. The event, run in association with RTPI Conferences, takes place between 1:00pm to 2:00pm. You can watch the presentations as they’re made and submit questions to the panellists for the Q&A session that rounds off the live event.

Sign up to watch online and ask questions To view the webinar, with an option to ask questions of our speakers, you’ll need to register in advance. n Please visit tinyurl.com/ plannerwebinar to sign up.

We’ll be publishing further details about the webinar – including confirmation of panelists – on our website: www.theplanner.co.uk, and through our newsletters n Sign up for our newsletter at: http:// tinyurl.com/Planner-news

Scotland is taking the lead in using onshore wind while England is lagging behind and missing some of the economic benefits.

RenewableUK’s annual report, Wind Energy In The UK, shows that more than 60 per cent of UK onshore wind projects are now installed and in operation in Scotland.

During the period the report covers – June 2014 to June 2015 – half of all construction activity and more than 70 per cent of consents were in Scotland.

Fewer than 10 per cent of new consents were in England, creating just 25 per cent of capacity.

But Wind Energy In The UK also reveals that England fares much better in the offshore wind sector.

Almost 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity was built in English waters in the time period. RenewableUK said this means that the benefits of construction and operation are being felt most by coastal communities, including Grimsby and Lowestoft.

In Scotland, financial support (Contracts for Difference) was secured for offshore wind from the UK Government. 2.3 GW of capacity was granted in Scotland, while in England, only 4.9 GW gained consented. n Wind Energy In The UK can be downloaded from RenewableUK’s website. www.renewableuk.com/en/publications/

New planning policy strategy bans fracking in NI RTPI director for Northern Ireland, Roisin Willmott, has welcomed publication this week of Northern Ireland’s latest Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS).

A presumption against unconventional oil and gas extraction – a move that effectively means a ban on fracking – and a retail development policy firmly rooted in the notion of “town centres first” are highlighted in the document.

“It will greatly aid the preparation of councils’ new local development plans, providing a clear, practical and integrated policy framework for good decisions in the long-term public interest,” insisted Willmott.

The SPPS consolidates 20 separate planning policies running to 800 pages into one document. This provides the policy on key issues such as town centres and retail development, building in the I M AG E | G E T T Y

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Statistics from the report period – June 2014 to June 2015

England missing out on onshore wind benefits

Are communities now able to influence local development in their area, just as the Localism Act envisioned? Or are the barriers to making it work insurmountable?

Here’s your chance to find out what the experts think – and get involved yourself – in a special hour-long online event on Tuesday 17th November.

Over the course of an hour-long broadcast, we’ll ask: n Is neighbourhood planning an example of ‘direct democracy’ working as intended? n Has the sheen come off ‘localism’? n How can conflict between local and neighbourhood plans be managed? n What role do professional planners have to play in neighbourhood planning?

GW of offshore wind capacity constructed in English waters

countryside, creating and enhancing shared space, tourism, telecommunications and housing.

For the first time the policy rules out unconventional hydrocarbon extraction, often referred to as fracking. This would only change in the future if the Department of the Environment is satisfied that there is sufficient and robust evidence on all environmental impacts of fracking.

Environment minister Mark H Durkan said: “I believe this is a sensible and reasonable approach.

“Publishing the SPPS unlocks development potential, supports job creation and will aid economic recovery, but not at the expense of our planet, environment and people.” n SPPS can be downloaded here: www.planningni.gov.uk/spps

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NEWS

Analysis { HOUSING IS KEY PARTY FOCUS

Party conferences: promises vs practicalities THE COUNTRY’S HOUSING CRISIS PROMPTED THE LEADERS OF THE MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES TO FALL OVER THEMSELVES WITH PLEDGES TO RAISE HOUSE BUILDING. BUT THE CONSERVATIVES OFFERED A DIFFERENT TAKE ON AFFORDABILITY, REPORTS HUW MORRIS

Leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled a major There was a certain irony in Liberal Demomark of the ambition we have for this councrat leader Tim Farron kicking off the return to council house building rather than try,” she told delegates. “Making sure that everyone has a safe, warm and affordable annual party conference circus by describa “social housing” programme to “tackle the ing housing as the biggest single issue that housing crisis, drive down the spiralling home is central to our government’s drive to politicians do not talk about. The next housing benefit bill and so to make the taxmake this country fairer and more prosperpayer a profit”. The key here is that shadow ous.” month then saw the main party leaders put But Cameron had a very much Conservahousing centre stage of their speeches. housing minister John Healey had earlier published a paper outlining ideas for While arguments about fairness in socitive take on fairness. He said housing was 100,000 “affordable public homes” a year ety are at the forefront of political debate “the one piece of unfinished business in our the conference season higheconomy” before unveiling what he called “a dramatic shift in lighted a crucial difference in housing policy”, emphasising emphasis between opposition “THOSE OLD RULES WHICH SAID TO DEVELOPERS: ownership as a reward for hard parties and the government.

YOU CAN BUILD ON THIS SITE BUT ONLY IF YOU work, or moving from “GeneraOpposition leaders all set BUILD AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR RENT – WE’RE major targets for building tion Rent to Generation Buy”. This REPLACING THEM WITH NEW RULES. YOU CAN affordable homes. Prime Minovershadowed the introduction of BUILD HERE AND THOSE AFFORDABLE HOMES CAN ister David Cameron, on the the right to buy for housing assoBE AVAILABLE TO BUY” DAVID CAMERON other hand, also stressed the ciation tenants, although it importance of affordability, remains a key plank of policy. but in the light of his party’s “Those old rules which said to particular principle of supporting home through lifting council borrowing restricdevelopers: you can build on this site but tions, strengthening affordable housing ownership. only if you build affordable homes for rent Among the opposition leaders it became requirements in planning agreements and – we’re replacing them with new rules. You a numbers game of increased home buildcan build here and those affordable homes more capital investment. But this is a little can be available to buy. ing. Farron started the ball rolling with a early in the electoral cycle for such moves target for building 300,000 homes a year, to be cast in stone. Healey stressed that the “When a generation of hardworking men committing the Liberal Democrats to buildideas are not Labour policy, but illustrate and women in their 20s and 30s are waking up ing 10 garden cities with the infrastructure what could be achieved. each morning in their childhood bedrooms, Not to be outdone, Scotland should build they need to “thrive” as well as creating a that should be a wake-up call for us. We need a national crusade to get homes built.” housing investment bank to bring in more 50,000 affordable homes during the next four-year Parliament, the country’s First money and give the industry the support it So across the parties, there was the usual Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish needs. Councils will also have the freedom high diet of rhetoric although it is debatable to borrow and start building again.

National Party’s conference. “That commitwhat crumbs of comfort this will all offer those Labour echoed some but not all of this. ment – worth more than £3 billion – is a on the sharp end of the fairness arguments.

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PLAN UPFRONT

Affordable homes vehicle unveiled for Scotland

Swansea’s Fabian Way corridor draft master plan under consideration Swansea City Council and Neath Port Talbot Council have prepared a joint draft master plan designed to provide a more integrated approach to planning along the so-called Fabian Way corridor.

The corridor stretches for 5 kilometres either side of the A483 Fabian Way, which forms the eastern gateway road approach to Swansea city centre from junction 42 of the M4. It covers an area from the Amazon roundabout in Neath Port Talbot to the eastern bank of Swansea’s River Tawe.

The aim of the document, which is set to go out for public consultation later this month (October), is to capitalise on existing and emerging developments in the area.

These include the Swansea Bay Tidal

Lagoon, Swansea University’s Bay Campus, the Bay Studios and the University of Wales Trinity St David’s plans for a new waterfront campus at Swansea’s SA1 site.

The draft document backs the development of a knowledge economy cluster along Fabian Way that would complement the city centre’s regeneration, create new jobs, and boost economic prosperity across the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole. n More information can be found here. http://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/21294/ Innovation-corridor-vision-for-SwanseasFabian-Way

Office-toresidential conversion change made permanent

undermines the ability to create decent homes in vibrant communities,” said chief executive Kate Henderson. “The government says it is committed to localism and that it wants planning to give power to local communities. However, the announcement means that local communities will have even less say over how their neighbourhoods are developed.”

The British Property Federation welcomed the move, adding that extending the rights is “a useful tool in breathing life back into underused commercial space” while thriving areas such as the City of London should be protected.

Chief executive Melanie Leech said: “The policy was never designed to deliver a huge number of new homes, but any trip through our suburbs soon exposes redundant office space that… is never going to be brought back into commercial use, and for such situations this policy is helpful.”

Changes to permitted development rights allowing offices to be converted into homes, originally due to come to an end next May, are to be made permanent.

In moves unveiled under the Housing and Planning Bill, the temporary change introduced in 2013 will become permanent after 4,000 conversions were given the green light between April 2014 and June this year.

The Town and Country Planning Association has denounced the move.

“The decision to extend permitted development from office to residential seriously I M AG E S | A L A M Y / G E T T Y

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The Scottish Government has launched an investment vehicle that will provide up to 1,000 affordable homes for rent across the country.

The Local Affordable Rented Housing Trust (LAR) is a charity set up to provide long-term, mid-market rented housing across Scotland.

It is funded by a £55 million loan from the Scottish Government, with matching private investment expected to lift the overall funding package to more than £100 million.

House builders and developers, in partnership with LAR and local authorities, are being invited to get involved in delivering a pipeline of affordable housing.

Eligible tenants are allocated homes based on affordability and income criteria, ensuring that tenancies are provided to those in most need.

LAR builds on the Scottish Government’s National Housing Trust initiative. Since 2012, around 4,000 new affordable homes have been approved through a range of financing mechanisms, unlocking up to half a billion pounds of housing investment.

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NEWS

Analysis { SCOTTISH PLANNING CONFERENCE

Review process colours Scottish conference backdrop

By Martin Read If there was ever an ideal backdrop to the RTPI Scotland Annual conference then Dundee, with its ongoing City Waterfront project, was surely it. A walking tour of the £1billion, 240 hectare development on the banks of the River Tay tied in nicely with the 2015 event’s strapline, ‘Making it Happen: Planning to Deliver’.

Alan Watt, the project’s coordinator at Dundee City Council, was an enthusiastic speaker who described the development as “the front living room of our city; where people will arrive and make their mind up in a couple of minutes.”

What was once a disconnected, confusing and under-utilised entry point in to Dundee city centre will, when complete, round off twenty years of steady transformation in Dundee. Set to open in 2018, the mixed use development will include an architecturally dramatic new V&A design museum as its centre piece.

As for the conference itself, the recently announced review of planning in Scotland loomed large and formed at least part of most speakers’ presentations. Margaret Burgess MSP, Scottish minister for housing and welfare spoke of how the review will be asking ‘big questions’ about the role of development plans within the planning system and taking ‘another look’ at the resourcing of the planning service.

“Planning by its very nature is about acting in the public good rather than pleasing everyone,” said Burgess, “and I do hope the (review) panel can find ways of getting much better public buyin. We shouldn't be afraid to ask big questions about the future of planning – communities and developers are depending on us to have a strong, fair and efficient planning system”.

John McNairney, Chief Planner and head of Planning and Architecture in the Scottish Government, provided an outline of the review. He saw it as a positive thing for planning and an

“WE SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IS HELPING TO DELIVER PLACES OR JUST INCREASING COMPLEXITY” ­ CATHERINE WOOD 10

V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the first ever design museum to be built in the UK outside of London

opportunity to provide suggestions on how the system can be improved. McNairney said that the Cabinet Secretary was keen for the review to be independent of government and led from the perspectives of the end users of the system – something that is accordingly recognised in the composition of the review panel.

And while there wasn’t a planner on the panel, there would be opportunities for planners to contribute through the evidence gathering process (and the secretariat would be provided by professional planning staff from Scottish Government).

McNairney emphasised the extent to which the review was taking a strategic overview. Recommendations are expected to go to ministers in the spring, with McNairney envisaging a programme of works to implement said recommendations taking place soon thereafter.

In the conference’s final session, McNairney urged planners from all sectors to engage positively by suggesting ‘game-changer’ ideas that could improve approaches to housing delivery, infrastructure, development plans, leadership, development management and community engagement.

“IN THE 1970S WE WERE REGARDED AS PROFESSIONALS. I THINK WE'VE LOST THAT PROFESSIONALISM, AND SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO GET THAT BACK.” ­ STEVEN TOLSON

“ONE OF THE MANY FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT BEING A PLANNER IS THAT THE BEST WE CAN OFTEN DO IS TO BE THE CHOREOGRAPHER OF OTHER AGENCIES TO HELP ENABLE DEVELOPMENT TO HAPPEN." ­ MAGIE BOCHEL

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PLAN UPFRONT

Housing crisis strips billions out of London economy London’s economy is losing more than £1 billion a year because of the housing crisis as the capital becomes a no-go zone for employees, according to latest research.

Rocketing house prices and rents are increasing staff retention problems not just in low-paid jobs, but also in many traditional middle-class occupations, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research on behalf of London First, which has launched a campaign to double house building in the capital to least 50,000 units a year.

The research also revealed that many workers are being priced out of living in the capital as: • Workers in shops, cafes and restaurants, those cleaning buildings, and office administrators may have to pay their entire pre-tax salary to rent an average home; • The rents of social workers, librarians, museum attendants, teachers, postal workers and gym employees are taking up more than half their salaries; and • Only the best-paid workers, including company directors and those in financial services, earn enough to rent in central London.

“If we carry on as things stand, in 10 years’ time London will be a no-go area for employees across sectors and at almost all levels,” said London First chief executive Baroness Jo Valentine.

£5.4

billion wage premium was faced by businesses in 2015 – that’s £1,720 per person

£14.5

billion – the economic growth lost by diverting money away from more productive expenditure between 2006 and 2020

+ 1,720

£2.7

billion a year in consumer spending is being removed I M A G E | P H O T O S H O T H O L D I N G S /A L A M Y

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AECOM to lead on Ebbsfleet framework masterplan The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, has announced that AECOM has been awarded the contract to deliver the framework masterplan for Ebbsfleet, the UK’s first garden city for nearly 100 years.

AECOM is lead partner in a project team that also includes Stirling Prize winning architect Maccreanor Lavington, and commercial property and real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield. Design studio Spacehub will also be involved.

The framework will make provision for up to 15,000 new homes over an area spanning

1,026 hectares, connecting housing growth with existing and future infrastructure investment to accelerate housing development.

The framework masterplan will have a planning horizon of 20 years. AECOM was appointed through its position on the Homes and Communities Agency’s multi-disciplinary framework agreement 2014-2018. Work is to start immediately, with the final framework masterplan due for completion in 2016. The UK government is making up to £200 million of infrastructure funding available to kick-start the development.

Housing and planning bill 2015 receives mixed response Plans to deregulate planning in a bid to increase home ownership among young people have received a mixed reaction. The measures, to be introduced in the housing and planning bill, will see automatic planning permission granted in principle on brownfield sites, and local authorities having a new duty to allocate land to people who want to build their own homes.

The government says that local authorities will be able to bid for a share of a £10 million starter homes fund – part of a £36 million package to accelerate the delivery of starter homes.

House builders warmly welcomed the move. Home Builders Federation executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: "Greater flexibility in the way affordable housing is provided should not only speed up the process of securing an implementable planning permission but also make more

sites viable for new housing.

This will in turn increase availability of homes of all types and help address the chronic shortage that has been allowed to develop.”

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) branded the move as effectively the introduction of US-style zonal planning and a major change to the system that the government is introducing with no consultation, and no safeguards to ensure high-quality places.

"It is worrying that this has come at a time when we know we need smart green cities that can deal with climate change and provide healthy environments for ordinary people," said TCPA head of policy Hugh Ellis. “These announcements are a missed opportunity to ensure we create high-quality, successful and climate-resilient places.”

The British Property Federation warned the government not to be too focused on

owner- occupation in its drive to deliver homes.

“There are two things that government must not forget in its headlong pursuit of creating new homes. One is that homes for owner occupation are not the only option. The build-torent sector has the potential to deliver a huge number of additional homes and to drive up standards in the rental sector, and must not be disregarded in favour of homes for sale - there is room for both,” said chief executive Melanie Leech.

“The other is that thriving communities need a mix of amenities to be a success. In order to create places where people want to live, there need to be places for people, to work, shop, and enjoy themselves, and planning policy must reflect that accordingly.”

Separately, the RTPI said that central and local government must prioritise planning within their spending plans if the housing and planning bill is to deliver the required homes.

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26/10/2015 16:50

CHRIS SHEPLEY

O Opinion One-nation government stuck in a groove Back at the think tank, the slithy toves whose thoughts powered its indecipherable output, heaved a sigh of relief now that the Jabberwock had moved on to pastures new. He’d been replaced by his son, Jabberwock Junior.

They were not entirely clear what their old boss was doing now, but the borogoves had become a less frumious place since he had dematerialised.

It had been a narrow squeak, since news that housing starts were falling came through just after he’d gone. The vorpal blade would have gone furiously snickersnack had the old behemoth still been around. Junior took a more measured view, but Lucinda and Ptolemy – on thought-ejaculation watch again – were nonetheless under manxsome pressure to explain.

The usual beamish statement had emanated from the spin conglomerate.

“This one-nation government… long-term economic plan… better than the last lot… on track for success…” And so on. With a bit of uffish double-counting, the odd irrelevant statistic, and a diversionary dig at the Labour leader, this proved temporarily effective.

The slithies sought a solution. The quinoa fountain played in the background, and the inspirational sound of fresh quantitative easing filled the room. How could it all have gone so wrong?

They’d spent more than five whole years undermining the planning system as far as they dare, giving the house builders more or less

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“THEY’D SPENT MORE THAN FIVE WHOLE YEARS UNDERMINING THE PLANNING SYSTEM AS FAR AS THEY DARE” everything they wanted, and they’d been told by their pet economists said that this should have outgrabed the problem by now. Their expensive education, which had decimated the hardearned fortune that Daddy had inherited, had assured them that the only things holding back a prosperous future were the Use Classes Order and the RTPI. The old ideas had failed, but new ones were hard to come by. They’d managed to invent a few new acronyms, set unreachable

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targets, and made a few threatening remarks about councils, but still the housing numbers fell well short of the Jabberwock’s targets.

They gyred and gimbled for a while, musing on the embarrassing fact that the planners seemed to have more inventive proposals than the think tank itself.

One day a smart young planner had somehow whiffled in through the airlock. As the slithies stuttered awkwardly in the wabe, she delineated a stream of propositions that left them breathless. Ideas like garden cities, green belt reviews, capturing the value of land, sub-regional strategies, compulsory purchase orders, public sector housing, and employing a sufficiency of planners, punctured the tulgey air of the tank. Lucinda and

Ptolemy reached for the Fiji water. Such ideas had been banned. But, explained the planner, when some of these concepts had been in vogue the nation had built 300,000 houses, with some ease, in several consecutive years.

The planner whipped out a folio of facts – a tool rarely encountered by the slithies.

She was right. This had happened before they’d been born – they could hardly be expected to know about it.

But it had occurred under a government of the same political persuasion as their own. It couldn’t be, could it, that they had been wrong all along?

The planner relaxed in the hot tub, watching their confusion grow. U-turns were of course not impossible – quite the reverse, and there had been several recently; the dumping of the crossPennine rail route was a masterclass. But in planning, such transmutations had previously been impossible – beware the Jabberwock!

Maybe Junior would be more amenable? But who was going to be the brillig slithy who would suggest it? Maybe they could divert attention by waffling about zoning. If only they could find someone who had the slightest idea what it meant.

Chris Shepley is the principal of Chris Shepley Planning and former Chief Planning Inspector

I L L U S T R AT I O N | O I V I N D H O V L A N D

23/10/2015 14:47

Quote unquote FROM THE WEB AND THE RTPI RTPI YOUNG PLANNERS’ CONFERENCE

RTPI SCOTLAND CONFERENCE:

“There are fewer words in the National Planning Policy Framework than the role of Hamlet. I like telling people that.

It’s not true, though it sounds fantastic” ANDREW WHITAKER, PLANNING DIRECTOR, RECTOR, H HOME BUILDERS LDERS FEDERATION FEDERATION, ATION, N

“Get your paints out, ut, get your pens out!” ” BALLY MEEDA, MANAGING G DIRECTOR, URBAN GRAPHICS, HICS, ON HOW THE IMPORTANCE CE OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IN PLANNING NNING SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED CTED TO WHIZZ BANG COMPUTER TER GRAPHICS

“Communities and d developers are depending on us to have a strong, fair and efficient planning system” MARGARET BURGESS, SCOTTISH HOUSING, REGIONS AND WELFARE MINISTER, SETS OUT WHAT’S ON THE LINE WITH THE NEW SCOTTISH PLANNING SYSTEM REVIEW

“The duty to cooperate, as it stands, is a very burdensome process” TRUDI ELLIOTT, CHIEF EF EXECUTIVE, RTPI

“The central waterfront is the front living room of our city. People arrive and make their mind up in a couple of minutes” ALAN WATT, DUNDEE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CO

EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF SPATIAL PLANNERS BIENNIAL IN DUBLIN

“You are not going oing to fix homelessness ess with an app. These problems are political, social ocial and economic. They are not a bit of shiny kit” t” ROB KITCHIN, PROFESSOR OF SPATIAL ANALYSIS, MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY

“Modern cities like London are becoming the preserve of the wealthy. The poor are moved out and increase their carbon footprint as they commute.

London used to be the most inclusive city”

“I think we need to bring the art and humanism back into the art of planning and urban design” JAMES MARY O’CONNOR, PRINCIPAL, MOORE RUBLE YUDELL ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS

PETER HETHERINGTON, CHAIR OF THE TCPA I M AG E S | / G E T T Y / I STO C K / S H U T T E RSTO C K

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CORRESPONDENCE

I Inbox

YOUR NEWS, VIEWS AND QUESTIONS F E E D B ACK

needs better representation.

John McGarry

Daniel Scharf —

MRTPI

The search for what is wrong with planning need go no further than the survey in October’s The Planner.

In the answer to “What do you hope to achieve as a planner?” only 32 per cent hoped to “encourage social, environmental, and economic wellbeing”, and only 10 per cent hoped to “create a sustainable world”.

This is either a measure of realism or means that early in their careers most planners have abandoned the hope of contributing to achieve sustainable development and enabling development that would benefit from the presumption in the NPPF.

Nigel Welbourn —

Daniel Scharf Planning consultant

John McGarry — With reference to the dismissal of appeal APP/ Y0435/A/14/2227711 over plans to install a 50kw wind turbine at Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire.

I was shocked to read on The Planner website about the inspector’s failure to determine the appeal in full, and how the opinion of the authority was adopted, not determined afresh.

This is harsh for such a small-scale development.

The PPG is being used as a way of introducing ‘guidance’ that is fast translating to policy and case precedence.

This guidance can be amended as the minister sees fit and any changes would only ever be the result of long and expensive legal battles.

Renewable energy is under attack and planning perhaps

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It is encouraging to see that passenger numbers using the reopened Borders railway in Scotland are exceeding expectations. The approach to reopening railways in Scotland contrasts with that in parts of England.

There is one remaining branch line in the world that retains so many of its original features designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This runs in Devon from Totnes to Buckfastleigh, operated by the South Devon Railway Trust.

Based on the growing heritage railway network it may be possible to extend the line from Buckfastleigh to Brunel’s covered station terminus at Ashburton.

But Dartmoor National Park Authority has ignored the trust’s representations to retain the old trackbed and approved a plan to promote the severing of the line outside Ashburton station with new development.

It’s one of the most flawed planning decisions I’ve seen.

Nigel Welbourn MRTPI (retired)

David Hunt — I read the Transport Planning Sector Guide intro with interest. As a retired district council chief planner, I’m involved in protecting my community against noise and pollution from our local motorway network.

On first reading I couldn’t see anything in the guide covering this issue. I live in the South-West, where the M5 – with radically increased

ON THEE WEB WEB @ThePlanner_RTPI ner_R ner_RTPI ne er_ _RT RT TP PI The Planner Think Tank group gro on LinkedIn is live – and we’re to invite you in. r keen k We’re always happy to receive your emails, or even physical letters (getting actual post is such an exciting novelty these days) – but The Planner’s Think Tank group is where we engage with you ahead of, during and after publication of news and features. We also use the

traffic flows over the past 10 years – causes severe environmental distress, according to Highways Agency surveys. This was highlighted in Channel 5’s recent broadcast Britain’s Horror Homes, which I took part in as a parish councillor.

Our Highways Agency seems intent on deflecting any proposals for mitigation.

There are solutions that could ameliorate matters without great cost, but unimpeded fast travel seems to overrule other considerations. Our planning community should be lending weight to the environmental arguments.

Locally we are seeking the installation of new technology sound barriers, resurfacing with low-noise tarmac, speed restrictions on worst-affected areas, TPOs on motorway embankments, etc. A radical consideration is that communities might be permitted to contribute financially towards local

group to conduct surveys, elicit response to topical questions and amplify debates. If you’re in the RTPI’s own group, you’ll probably see us asking the odd question there as well.

So, please visit us and join the group at The Planner Think Tank. See you online.

mitigation measures.

So how could this relate to our Transport Planning Sector Guide? I’d like to think that planning is defending our communities against transport-related environmental concerns, There must be consultants prepared to defend communities from this blight – the guide doesn’t give this impression.

David Hunt MRTPI (ret)

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SECTOR INFORMATION GUIDES Throughout 2016 The Planner will be publishing several A5-sized desktop reference supplements. These will be targeted at local authorities, other planners and professionals of all types seeking to get updated quickly on the services of planning consultancies in key sectors from urban regeneration to conservation, transport and major infrastructure.

These annual guides detail the policy, legal, demographic and other issues that make for the current state of the sector, looking ahead to the events and trends likely to influence the sector over the course of the coming twelve months.

Make sure your consultancy’s activities are capabilities are demonstrated to The Planner’s critical audience

›› Heritage ›› Green infrastructure ›› Transport Infrastructure ›› Large Scale Residential

Throughout the guide there will be advertising and advertorial pages for planning consultancies to:

›› Showcase their work via case studies

›› Promote their unique skills ››

The guides will be sent to all RTPI members who receive The Planner magazine

and expertise Provide planners with necessary information on their business & why they should work with you.

OCTOBER 2015 YOUNG PLANNERS SURVEY: NOW IT’S OUR TURN // p.20 • HOMES FOR BABY BOOMERS AND BEYOND // p.28 • RTPI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING FOR BUILT HERITAGE: DUDLEY REBORN // p.32 • ASKING FOR A PAY RISE: DO’S & DON’TS // p.34

PLANNER T H E B U S I N ES S M O N T H LY FO R P L A N N I N G P R O F ES S IO N A LS

LEE ANNE WALSH

ZOE GREEN

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THESE GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT

THE

TAGE ENVIRONM HERI “WE AL15ANNING PLANNING ENTPL 20 NEED TO O 2015 SECTOR IT’S TIME TO STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT, SAY YOUNG PLANNERS

LEE ANNE.WALSH@REDACTIVE.CO.UK

OR ALTERNATIVELY CALL

VIRAL DESAI

020 7324 2753

GO OUT SECTOR THERE GUIDE AND SAYY THIS IS WHAT H WE DO” PLANNER THE

GUIDE

PLANNER

THE

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B E S T O F T H E B LO G S

O Opinion

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Zoe Green is a senior planner for Atkins and past RTPI Young Planner of the Year

Lush gre green acreage is just one of the per perks of living in Colombia, where nearly a quarter of the land is protected as open space.

But across the world public open space is at risk from degradation, heavy use and crime, depriving communities of access to important recreation.

City parks and open spaces are also at risk from the expansion of urban areas to accommodate those migrating to cities. Even though we acknowledge that such spaces are fundamental to the health of communities, they are under threat everywhere.

Luckily, in a globalising world, there are also greater opportunities for planners to exchange ideas and best practice. As a strategic planner working in the UK and overseas, I recently advised Pereira on how to prepare its first open space strategy.

Colombia’s sixth largest city, Pereira has introduced many initiatives to improve the quality of its open spaces. But it lacks a strategic framework to link these with mobility projects or to phase delivery.

Open space in the city centre is defined by large grand plazas.

But behind their impressive public art, they are threatened by the illegal activities of street vendors who collectively dominate the space.

Outer neighbourhoods have metropolitan parks that provide

Clive Harridge is secretary-general of the Commonwealth Association of Planners and head of planning for Amec Foster Wheeler

A year like no other for planning

Delivering great public space in Colombia

leisure and recreation, such as boating and basketball. There are also smaller pocket parks – and these are in need of the greatest attention. Many spaces need better maintenance – re-painting the lines on courts and brightening up play equipment.

Rural areas contain national and regional parks that provide trekking, mountain biking and climbing, and are an important water source for coffee-growing, the area’s main industry. These have huge scope for ecotourism, but this will need managing to ensure the areas remain protected.

This means is that investment is required at all scales in Pereira.

The municipality is keen to invest in new open spaces, but its resources would be better focused on improving existing spaces and creating linkages to make them more accessible.

These could include better access to pedestrian, cycling and public transport routes. Economic benefits could be secured by introducing linked retail and cafés and regulated marketplaces to take pressure from key squares.

Pereira is one city but it exemplifies the need for (and benefits of) a robust open space strategy.

Taking a strategic approach to the planning and protection of open space in cities means improved access, with a reciprocal influence on the quality of life for communities.

“IN A GLOBALISING WORLD THERE ARE ALSO GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLANNERS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS”

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If it pas passed you by, 23-25 September was seminal for planning. This, it seems to me, was the moment our profession ‘came of age’ internationally.

Between these dates the UN adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), putting planning centre stage in the delivery of sustainable urban development. The UN’s recognition that planning is a means to help tackle global challenges is the culmination of campaigns by the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), the RTPI and a range of bodies. We had wanted the SDGs to include a focus on human settlements, and SDG11 reflects this.

It aims to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Aspirational targets supporting this goal refer to “… s u s ta i n ab l e urbanisation, and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning… in all countries”.

Planning is there, right at the heart of the SDGs. But it is just one of several initiatives in 2015 to reinforce the global recognition of planning as a means to tackle the world’s challenges.

This month CAP takes part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.

Under the theme of ‘Commonwealth – Adding Global Value’ we’ll meet Commonwealth high commissioners and foreign min-

isters to urge governments to prioritise measures to implement SDGs that acknowledge the substantial role of planning.

The Commonwealth represents two billion people and a quarter of UN countries at the UN. In June the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) meeting in Botswana recognised the crucial importance of planning at local government level in achieving the SDGs. The CLGF’s Gaborone Declaration calls on Commonwealth local governments and ministries to help create sustainable cities through “new and locally based urban and rural planning approaches, to adequately plan for the many dimensions of urbanisation”.

In August UN Habitat published International Guidelines on Urban & Territorial Planning.

These guidelines give planners around the world a framework to promote more socially inclusive, better integrated and connected cities and territories that foster sustainable urban development and are resilient to climate change.

For years, planners in the Commonwealth and through the international work of the RTPI, the Global Planners Network and more have promoted the value of planning to governments. We’ve had huge success in securing recognition. The bigger challenge is to deliver.

“THIS, IT SEEMS TO ME, WAS THE MOMENT OUR PROFESSION ‘CAME OF AGE’ INTERNATIONALLY”

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Have your say Would you like to see yourself in these pages?

Get in touch by email – editorial@theplanner.co.uk Topical, inspirational, angry or amusing – we consider all relevant comment

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Jacob Bonehill is a senior development planner at Birmingham City Council

Kris Hartley is a visiting lecturer in economics at Vietnam National University and a PhD Candidate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, University of Singapore

Smart cities: old bytes in new cables?

Fixing foundations: Hidden routes to localism?

The gov government’s Fixing The Founda Foundations paper has been interpreted as a move away from the localism agenda that defined most of the previous government’s planning reforms. Some proposals clearly have centralist implications, such as allowing projects with an element of housing to be assessed under the NSIP regime. But not all of them are inherently centralist; how they are implemented is key.

The zonal system for brownfield land has been presented as a fundamental shift in the English planning system that will unlock vast swathes of brownfield land for housing and limit the role of planning authorities to considering a fewtechnical details.

On inspection this is not as centralist as it first looks. The proposal is an evolution of the brownfield local development orders (LDOs) for housing proposals consulted upon by the previous government. This had the threat that 90 per cent of suitable sites would need an LDO or else the planning authority would be put in special measures. The evolved proposal removes that centralist threat and takes away the financial burden that would have been put upon councils to prepare the evidence to justify making the LDO. While planning authorities will only be able to consider a limited number of technical details, this

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would have been the same under the LDO proposals. This policy is also intended only for “suitable” sites – in other words, not all brownfield. Given that there will need to be a schedule of suitable sites, the true measure of whether this proposal has a centralising or localising effect will depend on how such schedules are produced and to what level they are open to challenge.

And the threat of intervention for authorities that don’t have a local plan by 2017 could also, if undertaken in an appropriate manner, not necessarily mean centralisation.

The most centralist way of doing this would be either to pass responsibility to the Planning Inspectorate, or to bring in consultants to write the plan.

But it is increasingly being recognised by the wider development industry that the resources within local planning authorities are near breaking point.

Given that there will clearly be a cost for intervention by DCLG a more localist approach would be to either use this funding to appoint consultants to support the council or to use it to appoint staff on fixed-term contracts to get the plan adopted. This could be seen as rewarding failure, but the reality is that most authorities don’t deliberately delay local plans. Neither of these measures has to mean abandoning the localism agenda.

“THE RESOURCES WITHIN LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES ARE NEAR BREAKING POINT”

Booming urbanisation, combined with technology’s seemingly boundless potential, is triggering predictions of smart cities as an urban techno-utopia.

Marketing this vision skips straight to dessert; the mechanics of service coordination bore the public, but images of globular mega-structures and hovering pod-cars capture imaginations. The sets of 1950s sci-fi movies can finally be a reality. Beyond superficial lures there is substance in the smart city model, but how revolutionary is it?

Cities have forever ‘smartened’.

Aqueducts were survival technology in Rome; dykes have long kept Dutch cities dry; electricity made night into day for the Industrial Revolution; and computers now monitor everything from highway flow to hazard mitigation.

The ‘smart city’ is another instalment; it applies new technologies to solve old problems.

This may be the best of what urban thinking can currently offer, but its transformative power is unproven. Scale of impact can clarify this issue: is the extraordinary optimisation of mundane administrative processes more transformative than small improvements in overall quality of life?

What is already clear is that technology cannot substitute for folly. By itself, it fails to rectify bad policy, solve socio-economic

inequity, or lift up struggling economies. It is a tool more than a solution. The challenge in mobilising the variety of disparate smart city technologies is to connect them through an integrated system that has a broader purpose beyond efficiency.

Smart city technology should be evaluated for its ability to improve the livelihoods of all citizens. A common argument says internet access lifts all ships, but this narrow view of ICT fails to acknowledge that the benefits of technological progress often flow upwards.

The smart city effort must articulate how it affects all citizens. One must ask: ‘smart’, but for what purpose? Virtual as the modern era is becoming, ICT still serves our timeless needs. People spend nearly two hours a day on social media, not to fetishise technology, but to share experiences.

Tech marvels like traffic light sequencing, disaster warning systems, and even robot-police improve efficiency and sustainability. But what seems smart now will eventually occupy the filing cabinet of obsolete breakthroughs. But transcendent technology functions with legacy systems, traditions, and diverse needs, while maintaining the value of its novelty; this is rare company. Smart cities are an evolutionary step, but can they be revolutionary?

“WHAT IS ALREADY CLEAR IS THAT TECHNOLOGY CANNOT SUBSTITUTE FOR FOLLY”

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CHINA'S PLANS FOR GROWTH WHAT LESSONS CAN THE UK LEARN FROM OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE ON HOW BEST TO PLAN FOR AND DIRECT DEVELOPMENT? GERRY HUGHES OFFERS SOME POINTERS

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PLANNING IN CHINA

I L L U S T R A T I O N | S A M PA R I J

WHAT CAN THE EXAMPLE OF CHINA TELL US ABOUT THE ROLE OF PLANNING IN SHAPING, STIMULATING AND REGULATING ECONOMIC GROWTH? VICTORIA PINONCELY AND SIMON WICKS REVIEW NEW RESEARCH

In recent decades, China has been experiencing economic growth and urbanisation on a scale unmatched in human history.

Despite some indications of slowdown, expansion continues: according to the Chinese government’s national statistics bureau, the urban population at the end of 2014 stood at an astonishing 749 million people (that’s about 86 Londons). This represented 55 per cent of the population – a rise from 26 per cent in 1990.

By 2025, the housing ministry estimates, a further quarter of a billion people will move from a rural area into one of the nation’s hundreds of cities.

To give an indication of the impact of this migration, in 1985 Shanghai had a population of seven million. Today 19 million people live there.

Cities, of course, require homes, schools and universities. They can’t function without basic utilities, roads and transport systems. People need places to work – offices, factories, shops.

The costs of urbanisation on such a scale are vast. But so, too, are the potential outputs.

In this context planning and planners are integral to fostering the conditions that drive the Chinese economy locally, regionally and nationally.

A forthcoming study to be published at the beginning of December, commissioned by the RTPI and led by Professor Fulong Wu of the Bartlett School at University College London, illustrates the extent of this relationship. Planning for Growth – International Evidence from China uses case studies to consider the status of planning in China, its role in shaping and regulating markets, and its overall economic impact.

The authors argue that, far from being an obstacle to growth, as it may be characterised in the UK, planning in China is viewed by policymakers as an indispensable tool for shaping, stimulating and regulating markets.

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PLANNING IN CHINA

The Chinese system Most plan-making powers in China rest within the central tier of the government where three departments are simultaneously responsible for planning. Beneath this layer, provincial and regional governments engage in spatial planning that is at least partially driven by the need to reduce inter-city competition and promote economic cooperation between cities.

The third tier of Chinese planning is municipal government. This is the main driver of growth – powered by a blend of local need and centralised policies that stimulate local economic ambition.

Indeed, as Professor Wu and colleagues explain, prevailing policy conditions have given rise to “entrepreneurial” city governments. At a national level, officials are judged according to contributions to GDP growth; locally, fiscal and financial constraints placed on local government stimulate entrepreneurial approaches to raising money to pay for public services.

“Since 1994 the tax-sharing system was introduced, which separated the tax sources of the central and local government,” Professor Wu writes. “The system allows local governments to retain only 25 per cent of value added

Fostering regional competitiveness: The Yangtze River Delta Regional Plan Market shaping activities are based on the idea that the whole can yield greater benefits than the sum of the parts. This was the conviction of the Chinese central government when devising the Yangtze River Delta Regional

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"[CHINESE PLANNING] IS A PROCESS THAT IS HEAVILY FACILITATED BY A STATE MONOPOLY ON LAND OWNERSHIP, AND THE STATE IS THE MAJOR ACTOR IN THE MARKETPLACE."

tax but instead all extra budgetary revenues and more importantly the revenue from the ‘sale’ of land can also be kept by local governments.

“The Chinese land market and the tax-sharing system thus provide the necessary conditions and financial incentives for local governments to pursue land development and urban expansions.”

It makes financial sense for municipal leaders to enact aggressive growth strategies, and local strategic plans are drawn up in collaboration with universities, international firms and the public, with an eye on economic growth.

plan, which aims to provide an integrated approach towards urban development.

The plan was introduced in 2010 against a background of intense inter-regional and inter-city competition, as well as growing administrative fragmentation. The region incorporates three provincial level governments, 24 prefecture level urban governments, 49 county level city governments and 61 county governments.

It envisaged a coordinated

The entrepreneirual tiger Unleashing the entrepreneurial tiger does not guarantee coherent growth.

The unintended consequences of using planning in an unrestrained way to create and shape market-driven economies are manifold.

Fierce competition between cities, in particular, has resulted in over-expansion, with considerable environmental consequences, surplus production in certain industries and lopsided development across entire regions.

Speaking at October’s European Council of Spatial Planning Biennial in Dublin, James Mary O’Connor – principal at Moore Ruble Yudell architects and planners – gave examples of a system in which hunger for growth had overtaken good sense.

In particular, O’Connor cited a lack of proper filtering of applications and follies offered to cities as a kind of planning gain by pushy developers – such as an opera house in Chongqing, where there is no appetite for opera. He noted also the habit of building “high rise cities” which “sucked the life out” of the urban environment at street level.

Chinese planning has also thrown up extraordinary anomalies, such as Thames Town, a replica of an English market town on the outskirts of Shanghai. But there are amazing developments, too – O’Connor’s firm has worked on huge tech city style projects in the wider Shanghai region, the nation’s major economic centre.

Both O’Connor and Professor Wu acknowledge that the Chinese planning system is improving as it learns to

Yangtze River Delta able to compete as a regional entity that excels through its service industries and achieves growth. To realise this vision, the regional plan promotes economic restructuring and the upgrade of export-oriented manufacturing industries.

To preserve the environment, metallurgical plants are mostly prohibited in the Yangtze River Delta.

Through a project-approval based incentive, the central government endeavours to

address the industrial overcapacity in the region, which is a result of individual cities all investing heavily into specific sectors such as iron, steel and petrochemicals in order to boost their revenue return.

The plan also covers issues around the local economy, social development, infrastructure schemes, urbanisation, public services and land use among others, and it assigns specific functional roles to cities.

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manage the entrepreneurial drive of its cities and regions by applying rational frameworks – or spatial plans – to areas of economic growth.

Professor Wu cites the Kunshan Master Plan as an example of how the excesses of urbanisation can be contained in a city that more than doubled in size as it underwent rapid industrialisation.

At a regional scale, he draws on the Yangtze River Delta Regional Plan that is managing the excessive competitiveness between cities that can harm regional economic development (see box).

Essentially, China is learning to use spatial planning to promote selfinterested collaboration through the rational division of specialisms and infrastructure. Constraints and regulations are in place to coordinate the development of the market – such as limiting urban sprawl and uncontrolled industrial expansion into ecologically fragile areas.

Valuing planning in China What emerges from Professor Wu’s report is a picture of a planning system – and a nation – learning to adapt to a new way of thinking. China's cities are dynamic and economically ambitious, and planning is having to learn to coordinate competitive drives that, left unconstrained, can be as harmful as they are beneficial.

There is a deeply embedded belief that planning as an agent of economic growth and development can provide a route through the miasma of competing ambitions. It’s a process that is heavily facilitated by a state monopoly on land ownership, and the state at various scales is the major actor in the marketplace.

Municipalities are able to use land as collateral to raise capital through the private market. Private developers in turn rely on the government and its planners to spearhead large-scale developments since the government can reduce the risk for developers by making the initial investment in infrastructure.

But as well as being entrepreneurial, the state has taken the tiger by the tail and introduced strong regulatory mechanisms that coordinate developments and reduce the potential cost of excessive urban expansions.

Professor Wu recommends that “extreme streamlining” of the planning system should be avoided, as this would weaken the ability of planners to shape

How can we measure the value of planning?

Throughout 2015, the RTPI has commissioned universities to conduct research on the value of planning. The RTPI’s economic research officer David Pendlebury reflects on what this might mean.

Planning is a broad and diverse discipline. Often, pseudo-economic arguments try to reduce planning to its purely regulatory function of development control, and then measure and lament the ‘costs’ to the free market of planning as ‘land use regulation’.

Some fight back by explaining there is an unquantifiable value of this regulation in its role in constraining the excesses and externalities of the free market, such as traffic, pollution, unsustainable, inappropriate or unsightly development; and that regulation allows finite resources to be put to economically efficient use.

But another argument says

that debates about planning as regulation are insufficient.

Planning is much more than regulation. Proactive and positive planning takes myriad forms: regeneration, urban design, masterplanning, enforcement, heritage management, transport, health and social planning, economic development, planning for demographic change, planning for climate change.

When we think of planning in these broader terms, we realise that its value actually lies in creating great places – places in which people feel safe, inspired, confident; places in which people are able to be healthy and active; places where people can easily access jobs and social and recreational infrastructure; and places in which people are able to take an active part in their community and civil society.

It is the value of creating these kinds of places which we should be trying to measure. When we create places in which people from all parts of society can flourish and reach their potential, then we are tapping into the real value of planning.

the market – and hints that other nations could well heed the same advice.

As for the economic impact of planning, Professor Wu suggests that in market economies, planning needs to be able to adapt its understanding of what it is for: “The focus of planning should be shifted from physical design to economic development in order to cope with the demands of the market,” he writes.

Simultaneously, however, there is awareness of the wider value of planning: “The impact of planning in China is wide reaching and cannot simply be understood as higher GDP growth. More importantly whilst planning is often being associated with economic costs, for the general public as well as the government planning represents development and the creation of economic value.”

It’s a delicate balance between

enterprise and constraint. But it produces a system in which planning is not seen as an obstacle to growth, but a necessary facilitator of regional and national success. Planners in China thus tend to be held in higher esteem than their counterparts in the UK. “In the Chinese context, planning is widely considered as a tool that can facilitate growth and thus enjoys great popularity amongst political leaders,” writes Professor Wu. “This firm confidence in planning is largely due to the proactive interpretation of its role.”

Victoria Pinoncely is a research officer at the RTPI. Simon Wicks is features editor of The Planner. The full Planning for Growth – International Evidence from China report will be published at the beginning of December.

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G LO B A L P L A N N I N G

A PRESIDENT

ABROAD DURING A BUSY YEAR AS PRESIDENT, JANET ASKEW HAS VISITED MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE RTPI. HERE SHE REFLECTS ON THE ISSUES FACING PLANNERS ACROSS THE WORLD Planners were pouring into the meeting room until there were 600 of them, sitting anywhere - on the floor, on tables, in doorways. The chair looked over them and boomed, “How many of you are fed up of the constant changes to the snowballing rules and regulations, fed up of having to implement the zoning ordnances?” The room erupted in agreement. “We can do things differently! For example, the British have a different system to ours!”

At the American Planning Association conference in Seattle, 6,400 planners came together to discuss issues facing the world – climate change, austerity, social equity and access to opportunities for all.

This was not the America many of us think we know; this was a more caring window on American life – planners seeking ways of implementing sustainability, including how to regulate development and, of course, relentless debates about the prevention of urban sprawl. There is no doubt that during my visits round the world, these were recurring themes.

Why is it important for British planners to have an international outlook? Look no further than the issues that bind us – the value of planning to all countries, whatever their size or economy; relationships with governments; social justice; community

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"I VISITED TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE PLANNING, AND NEW TOWNS"

Chengdu “A BIG CONTRIBUTOR TO LIVEABILITY, FALLING CAR USE CAN COME ABOUT BY INCREASING THE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IN CITY CENTRES”

engagement; urban sprawl; regulatory regimes; housing for all – affordability!

We must share our stories and our problems because many are so similar – in 2015, planning has never been so important. The RTPI is well regarded throughout the world, and our friendships and relationships with other institutes are very important for planners in Britain.

Towards the liveable city At the global level, Habitat III is the United Nations conference of 2016 aiming to rethink the urban agenda. By 2050, 70 per cent of the world’s population will be urbanised. With planning colleagues across the world, and in our discussions with the American Planning Association, the Canadian Institute of Planners, the New Zealand Planning Institute, and the Planning Institute of Australia, we are asking: ‘How can we make new cities sustainable for such vast populations?’ But equally, we need to consider how we can make existing cities more sustainable.

In China, this is very much the current debate. During my visits to China in 2014 and 2015, planners discussed attitudes and approaches to sustainability and how to achieve it.

One of my visits was at the invitation of the British Consulate who asked me to accompany a UK Trade and Industry delegation to China to meet with planners and developers in CHENGDU to share British knowledge about sustainable planning, and new towns in particular.

British town planning and British consultancy is an export for the UK. Many British companies locate in China and, crucially for us, employ planners who have been educated in RTPI-accredited planning schools.

Their learning goes back to China with them, where they are working on ecotowns, for example, sometimes with up to 2.4 million inhabitants. The eco credentials are questionable, particularly in locations miles from city centres reached by vast highways, sometimes stacked four high. Car ownership continues to rise in China, but it is heartening to hear that in the USA and in many regions in the UK, car ownership is falling or levelling off, as

Melbourne Australia

I M AG E S | I STO C K / X X X X X X X X X X X X / PE T E R S E A R L E

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is the number of young people learning to drive. Is this the end of the car?

A big contributor to liveability, falling car use can come about by increasing the population of people who actually live in city centres. This has very much been the objective of MELBOURNE in the past ten years, where those living in the central business district rose from 12,000 to 29,000, as part of planned densification.

With this comes a more vibrant city centre with facilities not normally found in central areas, livelier streets by day and night, and – significantly – walkability for healthier lives.

Melbourne competes with Vancouver for the title of most liveable city in the world. Both are certainly contenders, and Vancouver, with its spectacular waterfront setting, has created new housing areas in the centre.

One of these, at the Mole Hill Community Housing Society, featured some of the most impressive social housing I have ever seen – a community heritage

"THOSE LIVING IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ROSE FROM 12,000 TO 29,000, AS PART OF PLANNED DENSIFICATION"

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project to restore historic housing in the inner city for social rent. Land prices in VANCOUVER are among the highest in the world and to use such locations for community use with substantial gardens is a morally courageous decision.

Planning for social justice

RTPI INTERNATIONAL  AWA R D In 2016, the RTPI will give an international award at its annual Awards for Planning Excellence: http://tinyurl.com/RTPI-Awards

 N E T WOR K I N G The RTPI has also launched an international LinkedIn group: http://tinyurl.com/RTPI-Int

The biggest question for planners all over the world is whether or not planning can provide a measure of social justice and a more even distribution of resources through access to services, housing and quality of life.

Most planners believe that this can be done, and they are looking to fight the injustice of investment in housing for profiteering, not for the creation of affordable homes. I witnessed this in all countries I visited, even in Auckland, a city where just over half of New Zealand’s population growth has occurred in the ten years to 2013, causing it to sprawl further into the surrounding (very beautiful) countryside.

In universities, many students believe that social justice, along with climate change, are the most important issues of the age. Community engagement is the subject for many student projects.

In Hong Kong, for example, students and planners were interested in British approaches to public participation and

"A CITY WHERE JUST OVER HALF OF NEW ZEALAND’S POPULATION GROWTH HAS OCCURRED IN THE TEN YEARS TO 2013"

Christchurch New Zealand

neighbourhood planning. Does the latter have any relevance for one of the most dense cities in the world?

Many cities are made up of smaller communities and urban villages at a scale that people can relate to. Hong Kong had one of the first garden villages, at Kowloon Tong, an area that is still identifiable today with its lower densities.

The land of the abandoned Kai Tak Airport has been subject to considerable community consultation about its future, and many academics and students in Hong Kong are working with communities to look at ways of improving engagement.

This was even the subject of the annual conference of RICS in Hong Kong, at which I spoke about the planning challenges of London’s global status. Here, one of Hong Kong’s largest developers explained how his company was experimenting with ways of engaging residents before they moved into new housing – through community events, for example.

Environmental challenges But climate change and resilience is arguably the most important issue for all of us, and in many cities it is the main subject for all planners. In New Zealand, planners were grappling with disaster restoration after the earthquake in CHRISTCHURCH , and in Taiwan frequent typhoons and the threat of further earthquakes has resulted in considerable research into how to manage the natural environment while protecting the cities.

Everywhere, anecdotes abound regarding changing weather patterns – too hot, too cold, too rainy for the time of year, even snow in Queensland this year!

At the recent European Council of Spatial Planners, held in Dublin, the theme was the use of technology in planning. But technology is merely a tool to enable us to

“CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESILIENCE IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ALL OF US, AND IN MANY CITIES IT IS THE MAIN SUBJECT FOR ALL PLANNERS”

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"MOLE HILL COMMUNITY HOUSING SOCIETY FEATURED SOME OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE SOCIAL HOUSING I HAVE EVER SEEN"

Vancouver

(2)

(3)

Cadbury’s Dairy Milk —"A little piece of home"

Tea bags, even in countries where tea is grown

(4) AK Kindle, which sav saves carrying bo books

(1) Plug adaptors for different countries

TRAVEL E S S E N T I A LS

W H AT'S I N T H E P R E S I D E N T'S SUITCASE?

(7) Cables! For phone, laptop, radio and Kindle

(6) Shoes — for every occasion

(5) A small radio, to keep up with news faround the world

colle evidence and measure impacts, and collect a fformer (Portuguese) president of the ECTP asked me why had we not discussed climate change or resilience at all in this conference?

I agreed with him – and suggested that it has slipped off the agenda in the UK too, even in planning schools. Maybe this is because the UK does not experience the really extreme weather conditions and natural disasters that other countries do. Whatever it is, we need to restore and reinforce the message that the RTPI is concerned about climate change to retain our position in the global planning community.

I return to my opening story about regulation. There is great concern among European planners that the neo-liberal agenda of de-regulation is ruining the environment and access to social justice.

In America, the zoning approaches were frustrating to planners because of their inflexibility and complexity; in the UK, the discretionary approach is under attack by constant rule changes and the desire to build more quickly.

But regulation is a vitally important tool for planners. The Habitat III conference agenda states that the key elements of good planning are “urban rules and regulations”: “The outcome in terms of quality of an urban settlement is dependent on the set of rules and regulations and its implementability. Proper urbanization requires the rule of law.”

I have met hundreds of planners this year, and an a planner from Norway, one of most socially just and liveable counthe mos tries in the t world, said to me: “Why is the UK trying to change its regulations all the time? Why does it think ulation that they do not work? You do not know how fortunate you are: you simkno ply don’t know what you have got.” agree – there is so much to learn I agre from planners and planning systems and approaches all over the world, and exchanging our mistakes and failures is as important as swapping stories about our successes.

Planning has never been so important as it is now and we must unite with planners all over the world to achieve our goals. The al RTPI has a very big role to play in this.

R

JANET ASKEW is President of the RTPI

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ECTP CONFERENCE

TECH AND THE CITY EVEN EVENT: ECTP-E biennial ECTP-EU confere conference: Making W Cities Work – Techn Technology in Plan Planning Practice DUBLIN 2015 TECHNOLOGY IN PLANNING PRACTICE

MAKING CITIES WORK

ECTP-CEU 11th Biennial – Towns & Town Planners

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DOES THE GROWTH OF ‘SMART’ TECHNOLOGY HERALD AN AGE OF URBAN UTOPIAS – OR THE VERY OPPOSITE? SIMON WICKS GAUGES THE VIEWS OF SPEAKERS AT THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL OF SPATIAL PLANNERS’ BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN DUBLIN

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“IT ISN’T ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, IT’S ABOUT THE BUSINESS MODELS THAT MAKE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE WORK"

Some cities, such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, have vast control rooms that monitor the urban environment 24 hours a day, he said. Ostensibly they’re keeping city operations functioning well – in particular in managing the flow of people and vehicles through urban spaces.

But they also have considerable application as tools of surveillance and control – as Martin Powell, head of urban development at Siemens, pointed out, a typical walk around London will see you captured on CCTV at least 50 times.

For the European Commission’s head of smart cities Colette Maloney, ‘smart’ technology had great potential to make cities operate more efficiently – and the EU is currently funding ‘smart city’ projects in the areas of urban mobility, digital connectivity and energy efficiency.

But she was more than aware of the limitations of technology in solving the social challenges that underpin city life: “It’s important to understand the assumptions that are built into models in the first place,” she cautioned.

Responding to ‘megatrends’ Too much information A refrain of the age, it was brought up repeatedly at a two-day conference that roamed widely across the implications of data capture, sorting and analysis in the modern world.

There’s a virtual mountain of ‘big data’, the digitally captured information that, increasingly, powers the operations and decision-making in 21st century cities.

It comes from sensors and smart meters that monitor city functions; from I M AG E S | I STO C K / S I MON W IC K S

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satellites and CCTV; from smartphones, tablets and the ‘internet of things’; from human observations, social media and crowdsourcing sites, explained keynote speaker Rob Kitchin, a professor of spatial analysis at Maynooth University.

In tracking the millions of interactions between citizens and the city fabric, it’s swamping us with a “data deluge”.

“It’s trying,” Kitchin observed, “to compute every car in the system, every pedestrian, every tweet, every Facebook post.”

But why do we value so-called ‘smart city’ technology so much? We need to look at the “megatrends”, Martin Powell argued – in particular, demography and climate.

The urban population globally is growing and the impacts of climate change are forcing city leaders to look at ways to reduce carbon emissions.

“By 2050 you will share the same space with twice as many people, you will consume just 20 per cent of the energy that you consume today, and most of that will

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ECTP CONFERENCE

Planning for tech be from renewables,” he stressed.

Numerous ways were already emerging to use data capture technology to reduce the pressure on the system. Congestion charging and emissions zones were examples of ‘smart’ strategies to improve traffic flow and air quality. Cities were also places where new forms of transportation could arise, such as straddle buses and driverless taxis.

Huge energy efficiencies could be made in buildings by intelligently combining data collection with micro-generation and better use of renewables. These were things that cities must do, he said, citing Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where the city came to a flooded standstill whenever it rained heavily.

But ‘smart’ solutions for cities were contingent on the application of useful technology within sensible overarching strategies.

“It isn’t about technology, it’s about the business models that make investment in infrastructure work,” he said.

“It’s also about the right policy environment to force busineses like Siemens to think about how they can deliver that kind of low cost solution to cities. I don’t think any city leaders do it deliberately, but I do think they have looked after their economy much better than they have looked after their citizens in recent years.”

Tech and inequality For all that we may herald tech as a stepping-stone to cities that are perfectly tuned to the needs of citizens, the issue of social inequality just won’t go away. In fact, as cities become ‘smarter’ they have a habit of becoming less equal, various speakers insisted.

Rob Kitchin highlighted an eight-point critique of smart cities, motivated largely by the colonisation of public data by private interests. We were at risk of a “corporatisation” of public services and policies, he argued; what little data was provided to city leaders could not be considered reliable; technology seemed to be serving the interests of the middle class at the expense of the poor; data was being used to achieve a kind of ‘social sorting’; the vision of the city as a “knowable, rational, steerable machine” was persistent, but flawed.

“A lot of this is presented as if it’s natural and common sense and pragmatic, as if there’s not a whole lot of politics around that. But this stuff isn’t just plonked down in a natural way. Urban data’s not natural.

It’s always political.”

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Some 7.5 per cent of the UK workforce now works in the ‘digital economy’ and it’s the nation’s fastest growing employment category, said RTPI research officer Joe Kilroy in a presentation on planning for the tech sector.

Tech firms, now making their “spatial footprint” felt in cities, bring a range of benefits to urban economies, from high skilled workforces to rising wages and the employment ‘multiplier effect’ – every job in tech creates 1.6 jobs in a ‘non-tradable’ (ie. service) sector.

The presence of such clusters has often been considered almost accidental. But can you plan for ‘innovation districts’?

Researchers had identified a number of common qualities that could be stimulated by physical realm, Kilroy explained:

“THE RISK IS THAT WE WILL BE DRIVEN BY THE NOVELTY OF DATA AND NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES WE NEED IT FOR”

face-to-face interaction, local social networks, inter-firm communications, bike-friendly cafes, restaurants, bars, and affordable housing.

But also associated with the presence of thriving tech clusters within cities was an expansion in social and wage inequality and the emergence of “two-speed”, Kilroy pointed out. The loss of affordable housing for potential employees was a particular concern for tech firms.

“You are not going to attract innovation if you don’t have affordable housing and infrastructure that’s creaking at the seams,” Kilroy argued.

“That’s the dynamo behind this.”

Are there solutions? Among the approaches being tried out with tech companies were local apprenticeships and joint ventures with local authorities to improve the delivery of public services. “If you can’t get the basics right, you can’t enjoy the benefits.”

driven by the novelty of it and not address the issues that we need it for.

“We don’t use the data that we have at the moment effectively,” he continued.

“The risk is that we’ll outsource it to people who don’t care. Ultimately, we can’t make good planning decisions unless we have a complex and nuanced appreciation of the way people behave.”

Data and democracy

Examples of the consequences of technology and policymaking being out of kilter were abundant. Cork City Council architect Giulia Vallone, for example, recalled Lucca in Italy where “thanks to Airbnb it’s all property to rent”.

“When the tourism season finishes the place is dead,” she noted. “People have moved out of the heritage core.” Her solution was the creation of “defensible areas” in cities which discouraged tourists from entering.

RTPI trustee Vincent Goodstadt, an advocate of evidence-based planning, was nevertheless concerned about the impact of the data deluge.

“The risk is that we are going to be overwhelmed by data, that we are going to be

This relationship between technology and democracy is finely nuanced. The quality of planning in the modern age ultimately depends on the way data is gathered, analysed and applied to decision-making at a city scale.

For all its potential threats, technology offers new ways to open up greater citizen participation in debates and decision-making around the use of land, the conference heard.

Vanessa Liston of public consultation and software developer Civiq showed how a new platform being used in Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia can provide an effective way of gauging the full range and nuance of opinion on an issue.

Liam McGeown of software developer Acquis presented a web-based tool that enabled planners, developers, policymakers and citizens to keep track of

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SMART CITY SOUNDBITES planning applications and all their associated documentation.

From Norway, young planners Mari Olimstad and Martin Svingen Refseth showed how an online platform can engage young people in the planning consultation process.

Rob Kitchin himself has worked on the Dublin Dashboard, a website where citizens can access an array of data about the city in ‘real time’.

“WE CANNOT SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT CITIES FACE WITH TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY HAS ITS LIMITATIONS.” COLETTE MALONEY, EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEAD OF SMART CITIES

“THE RICHEST ONE PER CENT KNOW WHAT WE ARE BUYING, WHERE WE ARE, WHERE WE GO AND PERHAPS WHAT WE THINK.” AGAPIT BORAS, ARCHITECT AND ARTIST, BARCELONA

The virtues of planning In a final session that roamed widely across the implications of digital data and its role in helping to plan cities that are great for people, we were reminded that cities have always harnessed technology to improve operations at scale.

Was this whole ‘smart city’ thing just a load of overexcited hype? Hugh Ellis, head of policy at the TCPA argued that planning is “at the core of a civilised society”.

“We can understand cities in fantastic new ways but if we don’t have a moral frame to apply to the data it’s useless to us.” Unconstrained land speculation in England and the associated “social cleansing” of London showed what goes wrong when this moral sensibility breaks down.

Ultimately we need to return to the universal virtues of planning and rediscover the passion for creating a better society that inspired its ‘invention’ in the first place. For James Mary O’Connor of Moore Rubell Yudell architects – a man who has worked on high-tech schemes from Dublin to Shanghai – it was a romantic sense of place that drove him on.

“We need to bring the art and humanism back into the art of planning and urban design,” he said. “The humanistic parts of design are really what move us.”

Ultimately, he concluded, “We’ll find a new kind of place that comes out of this technology.”

“THANKS TO AIRBNB IT’S ALL PROPERTY TO RENT [IN CENTRAL LUCCA]. WHEN THE TOURISM SEASON FINISHES THE PLACE IS DEAD. PEOPLE HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE HERITAGE CORE” GIULIA VALLONE, CORK COUNTY COUNCIL ARCHITECT

“[IN THE MODERN CITY] EVERYTHING IS AVAILABLE IN ‘REAL TIME’ AND THIS ALLOWS PLANNING TO BE CONTINUOUS. PLANNERS CAN BE WORKING WITH THE CITIZENS ON A CONSTANTLY CHANGING DOCUMENT” HENK VAN DER KAMP, OUTGOING PRESIDENT ECTP­EU

“WHEN YOU HAVE A FREQUENCY BASED SURVEY YOU AUTOMATICALLY FOCUS ON THE MAJORITY. YOU DON’T FOCUS ON THE SPREAD OF OPINION” VANESSA LISTON OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND SOFTWARE SPECIALISTS CIVIQ ON THE CHALLENGES OF CONSULTATION

“THE CHALLENGE FACING CITIZENS IS ABOUT REALISING THE BENEFITS [OF TECHNOLOGY] WHILE BEING SMART ABOUT THE PERNICIOUS EFFECTS” ROB KITCHIN,SPATIAL ANALYSIS PROFESSOR, MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY

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EUROPE

PLANNING IN TRANSLATION WHAT LESSONS CAN THE UK LEARN FROM OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE ON HOW BEST TO PLAN FOR AND DIRECT DEVELOPMENT? GERRY HUGHES OFFERS SOME POINTERS

While the UK is experiencing a boom in development its planning system is under a sustained review, culminating in a series of reforms to simplify it and to enable sustainable development.

Guiding principles include enabling decisions at the lowest possible level with the involvement of the local community, and strong protections for the natural and historic environment.

But how do we compare with other European countries? What are the different strengths and weaknesses of planning systems, particularly in Germany, Poland, France, and the Netherlands – the four leading estate markets outside the UK?

GERRY HUGHES is a senior director at Bilfinger GVA, head of the firm’s planning, development and regeneration division and holds the role of international head of property development consultancy

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G ER MA NY ] Germany’s planning system reflects its federal governance structure, characterised by hierarchical planning powers across the federal state (Bund), the local states (Länder) and the local municipalities (Gemeinde). Its planning levels are clearly delineated legally and organisationally.

The Federal Building Law 1960 requires each state to set up a series of documents

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covering issues such as population projections and settlement hierarchy, along with regulations to protect the environment. Under these documents, sub-regional plans may be prepared.

Beneath these, states develop their planning polices. The Federal Building Law ensures the municipalities’ independence and responsibility for development control and makes provision for two other plans.

(1) The preparatory land-use plan (Flaechennutzungsplan, the F Plan) is essentially a zoning plan, covering the entire municipal territory, for broad land use and development distribution.

(2) The land-use plan (Bebauungsplan, the B Plan) makes legally binding designations on types of land-use for specific plots. This must comply with the F Plan. A municipality is under no legal duty to produce these plans for its entire territory, however.

(3) The B Plan is legally binding for set time limits and allows for the provision of infrastructure requirements. B plans are often accompanied by design guidance, (Gestaltungssatzung).

“THE HIERARCHICAL FRENCH SYSTEM AND THE HIGHLY REGULATED GERMAN, POLISH AND DUTCH SYSTEMS SIT UNEASILY WITH OUR MORE ‘FLEXIBLE’ AND ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH”

POLAND ] A new system of spatial planning was created after the fall of socialism, similar in construct to the German system, but in a significant degree of flux.

Development processes are regulated by various state acts and related executive decrees The two most important acts are the Act of Spatial Planning and Development of March 27th, 2003 (amended later: the Act of Planning) and the Act of Building Law of July 7th, 1994 (amended, later: the Building Law).

The Act of Planning states the rules of procuring and adopting all spatial planning documents, including: (1) Spatial development plans which are obligatory for each Polish community/ municipality. These define local spatial policies, the statements of which are binding for the relevant communities/ municipalities plans. Such plans are similar to the German ‘F- Plan’.

(2) Local plans, which are detailed development regulations similar to Germany’s B- Plans.

The planning provisions are binding for authorities which verify applications for building permits.

FR A NCE ] Traditionally a centralised country, since the 1980s France’s planning powers have become more decentralised, although it remains extremely hierarchical. Planning is regulated by the statutory document, Code d’Urbanisme. There is a clear hierarchical relationship between various tiers of government: the state, the regions and local authorities all have planning powers.

The main body of national rule is called Les Dispositions Impératives Du Règlement National D’Urbanisme (RNU). These national regulations are supplemented by a series of directives often determined by central government and tend to have a long-term timescale.

At a regional and county level the most significant planning regime is the Schémes de Cohérence Territoriale, which delineate the major spatial development priorities over the medium to long term. They may be best likened to a county-level structure plan once familiar in the UK. The plan is subject to a public inquiry and, once approved, is valid for 10 years.

Responsibility for the preparation of a local plan – the Plan Local d’Urbanisme (PLU), lies with the commune under the direction of the mayor. The PLU provides a development plan for the commune and sets the general planning rules that will apply to the locality and to specific sites.

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The preparation of a PLU takes place in consultation with all relevant statutory bodies and must be subject to a local public inquiry. Once adopted, it has a legal and binding force. The PLU will divide the commune into four zones: (1) Zone U – New construction permitted – likely to be existing development areas and those adjacent to it where the infrastructure exists or can be provided to enable development.

(2) Zone AU – Future development area, which will include either those where infrastructure is already available or where it is planned.

(3) Zone A – Agricultural area and only agriculture-related new construction is permitted.

(4) Zone N – Protected areas where no new construction is permitted owing to their sensitive historical, ecological or environmental nature.

The PLU sets out rules on change of use, permitted height of buildings, building arrangement, architectural requirements, public utility services, and the maximum permitted density of development.

These rules are called the Coefficient D’Occupation des Sols (COS). Where a PLU is in place planning permission can be granted by the mairie [town hall] or inter-communal body.

THE NETHER LA NDS “ASIDE FROM THE ‘SACRED COWS’, SUCH AS THE GREEN BELT, THE UK SYSTEM OFFERS A MUCH MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH”

] One of the most densely populated countries in the world, the Netherlands’ planning system is plan-led and exercises strong controls over development. As much of the land is below sea level, there are very high site preparation costs with the state taking a major role in planning and provision of infrastructure.

The revised Spatial Planning Act 2008 provides for spatial planning regulations at national, provincial and municipal government levels, with detailed guidance on analysis, design and legal proceedings.

Since mid- 2011, there has been a fundamental review to reduce the overall role of national government in society with more weight given to local discretion.

Municipal authorities produce structure plans for the city as a whole. For new developments legally binding detailed project related plans are required by law and must be reviewed every 10 years. These plans balance private and public interests and involve all relevant stakeholders.

Environment and land conservation are key features of the planning ethos. The Spatial Planning Act is expected to be integrated into the Environment Act (Omgevingswet), as well as the Environmental Management Act and the draft Environmental Act, to consolidate procedures and speed decision-making to ensure consistency with spatial plans and projects connected to the environment.

LESSONS Cultural differences between the UK and these European countries are manifest in their planning systems. The hierarchical French system and highly regulated German, Polish and Dutch systems sit uneasily with our more ‘flexible’ entrepreneurial approach.

We have removed all regional planning tiers and seek to use a more localised system of planning. We also seek to regulate, through the development control system, creating the onerous planning

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application requirements, the planning consultancy industry and the delays as local authorities struggle to cope in the face of austerity measures and growing development pressures.

Contrary to popular belief, we have a relatively under-regulated system, but control through policy and negotiation. Our system is slow and burdensome but open to influence, new ideas and creativity, and subject to local political sensitivities. Aside from ‘sacred cows’, such as

the green belt, the UK system offers a much more flexible approach.

It is difficult to see what we could take from the French system, especially considering the UK’s move for greater devolution to regional cities.

In stark contrast to France, we have moved away from an overly hierarchical system.

Germany’s federal structure could provide lessons as the UK devolves powers. Could devolution also include a greater degree of planning control? That would make a lot

of sense and square with the localism agenda.

Maybe the city regional approach that is gaining traction could move to more of a zoning approach to planning, similar to that in Germany, but avoiding the overly regulated approach that legally binds plans for 10 years or more, and as such removes flexibility and scope for innovation.

Surely a middle ground can be found that gives certainty, ensures flexibility and removes the complexities of our development control process?

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23/10/2015 15:20

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INSIGHT

DiF { D

DECISIONS IN FOCUS

Decisions in Focus is where we put the spotlight on some of the more significant planning appeals and court cases of the last month – alongside your comments. If you’d like to contribute your insights and analyses to future issues of The Planner, email DiF at editorial@theplanner.co.uk HOUSING

appeal for a cheetah enclosure at a wildlife park in Ayside, Cumbria, after the owners were found have breached planning control by erecting it.

Yorkshire plan ‘not adverse to highway safety’ ( SUMMARY A residential development has been approved for Keighley, West Yorkshire, after highway safety mitigation measures were agreed. ( CASE DETAILS Bradford Metropolitan District Council originally objected to the development on 4.79 ha of farmland over concerns about the safety of drivers and pedestrians because of increased traffic and on-street parking.

Initial refusal was based on a worst-case scenario Transport Assessment (TA) of 150 homes. An up-todate TA was submitted with the appeal to reflect the 124-dwelling proposal, and inspector M Seaton agreed that the residual traffic impact from the scheme would not be severe.

He accepted suggestions that increased on-street parking could cause delays, but said this would not reasonably cause conditions on the main road in question to be considered hazardous.

Concerns about pedestrians near the local primary school were also raised. The inspector took

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Homes on 5 ha of farmland in Keithley have been allowed on appeal following changes to highways conditions

note of personal injury accidents evidence submitted by the appellant, ruling that the pedestrian environment would not be “demonstrably unsafe” for the public as a result of the development. ( CONCLUSION REACHED The issue of an unadopted section of road becoming a ‘shortcut’ for vehicles was seen to warrant mitigation.

The appellant agreed to implement additional signing to stop unauthorised vehicle access along the bridleway, and to redesign a main junction to make it clear the layout discouraged motorists from taking this route. An s.106 agreement undertaken

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by the appellant secured a 15 per cent affordable homes provision for the scheme.

A financial contribution of £231,669 to primary education and an obligation to improve bus stops and a footpath were also agreed.

Appeal Ref: APP/ W4705/W/15/3038245

WILDLIFE PARK

Cumbria cheetah enclosure rejected ( SUMMARY An inspector has rejected an

( CASE DETAILS Inspector Gloria McFarlane cited the main issues of the Lake District National Park Authority to be the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.

Development had to be guided by the Lake District Landscape Character Assessment so the “highest level of protection will be given to the landscape”.

She said the building was “bulky and utilitarian” in design, and when coupled with the external cheetah enclosure, was an “alien and incongruous feature in the landscape”. The site was also too visible from the highway and public walkways. The appellant put forward a planting scheme to mitigate visual harm, but the inspector found that this would actually draw attention to the scheme.

She noted the considerable public support for ‘Predator Experience’, the business to which the cheetah enclosure belonged, and the appreciation for the experiences it offers, including walking with wolves and flying birds of prey. She said appellants Dee and David Ashman’s conservation and education work was exemplary, but the detrimental visual

I M AG E | A L A M Y

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An “alien and incongruous” cheetah enclosure at a Cumbrian wildlife sanctuary was refused at appeal

effect of the building and enclosure was seen to outweigh the benefits of the proposal. ( CONCLUSION REACHED The enclosure must be removed and the land restored to its original state within six months. The appellants said they were not affiliated with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, so could not transfer the cheetahs to either organisation, and sought 12 months’ leeway to re-home the animals. But the inspector ruled that six months was a reasonable time in which to comply with the enforcement notice.

Appeal Ref: APP/ Q9495/C/15/3003543 and 3003544

HOUSING

Lancashire homes fulfil government aims ( SUMMARY Communities secretary Greg Clark has supported an inspector’s approval of a 360-home development in Warton, Lancashire, as it would “significantly impact on the government’s objective to secure a better balance between housing demand and supply”. ( CASE DETAILS Inspector Richard Clegg

approved the development owing to its sustainability and positive contribution to affordable housing in the area, with provision outlined at 30 per cent. The developer appealed after Fylde Borough Council failed to give notice of its decision within the prescribed period.

The council later said the development would have been rejected on grounds including adverse impact on the character and appearance of the setting. ( CONCLUSION REACHED Clark agreed with the inspector that although moderate harm would be caused to the site itself and from nearby viewpoints, the development would have only a minor effect on the surroundings.

The inspector said limited weight could be given to the Emerging Local Plan and Emerging Neighbourhood Plan in regard to these concerns, given the plans’ states of progress. He noted in his report that although the appellant’s unilateral undertaking included a financial contribution towards education, the transitional period under Regulation 123(3) of the CIL Regulations “has since ended and pooled contributions in respect of an infrastructure project may now only be taken into account from five obligations in the period from 6 April 2010”.

Subsequently, Clark urged the appellant to prepare a I M AG E | G E T T Y

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more specific undertaking in consultation with the council to target funding on primary school provision.

He said that as the policies in the council’s local plan on housing land were out of date, the NPPF weighed in favour of sustainable development.

cost of cutting silage around and under the panels would make this unlikely and impractical, but said he was satisfied that the impact of the proposal was reversible.

The appellant carried out a sequential test to assess suitable grid connection locations and opportunities for directly supplying industrial areas in North Wales, but grid access issues and other site constraints saw these possibilities rejected.

The inspector was satisfied that no suitable brownfield land could be identified and ruled that the site could be considered appropriate.

Appeal Ref: APP/ M2325/A/14/2217060

RENEWABLE ENERGY]

Solar plan gets go-ahead on farmland ( SUMMARY A solar farm and associated works have been approved at Newport, Wales, after an inspector ruled that it would not adversely affect the supply of best and most versatile (BMV) agricultural land in the area.

Appeal Ref: APP/ G6935/A/15/3034087

HOUSING

Glasgow suburb to get 186 homes

( CASE DETAILS The appeal site constitutes of 14.3 ha of high-quality agricultural land. Given that Planning Policy Wales describes BMV land as a “finite resource for the future” that should be conserved, inspector Anthony Thickett assessed the negative impact of allowing this site on the wider area.

The life of the 10 mw solar farm is set at 25 years.

The appellant argued that he would ensure that there would be no permanent loss of agricultural land quality, and that the fields would be used for silage production and sheep grazing during the farm’s operation. ( CONCLUSION REACHED Thickett agreed with residents’ concerns that the

( SUMMARY A residential development with mixed housing was approved for Muirhead, Glasgow, after a reporter found that North Lanarkshire Council acted “unreasonably” in refusing the proposal. ( CASE DETAILS The 10.6 ha site is unused agricultural land and woods and a site of importance for nature conservation. It had been designated for homes in the local plan. ( CONCLUSION REACHED Concerns over additional traffic and insufficient wastewater capacity were dismissed after assessments found these to be unfounded or easily mitigated.

A financial contribution was agreed between the

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INSIGHT

DiF { D appellant, Persimmon Homes West, and the education authority to provide more classroom space to meet growing demand. The appellant agreed to pay £744,000 towards these works. Local residents’ concerns about overlooking were deemed baseless.

Reporter David Buylla said: “One cannot reasonably expect a view over land one does not own to be protected in perpetuity.”

The partial loss of woodland was mitigated by the appellant’s agreement to remove Japanese Knotweed from the rest of the wood.

The appellant agreed to a provision of 30 affordable housing units on site and a financial contribution towards offsite provision of 16 or more units.

Buylla found the council’s conduct in initially refusing planning permission was “unreasonable”, so the appellant was awarded costs.

Appeal Ref: APP/ G6935/A/15/3034087

DECISIONS IN FOCUS AGRICULTURAL

Poultry farm green-lit at Presteigne ( SUMMARY A proposal for two poultry buildings and associated works has been granted in Presteigne, Powys, despite council concerns about their effect on heritage assets and the local tourism industry. ( CASE DETAILS A resubmitted application was previously approved, but the decision was quashed by a judicial review in which Powys County Council conceded to judgment on the basis of “failure to take into account the cumulative effects of the development”.

Inspector Emyr Jones referenced the Environment Agency’s H4 Odour Management guidance when determining the exposure levels of nearby homes. He said although levels at nearby Upper Broad Heath Farm and Little Heath would be slightly above the guidance benchmark, because these

An inspector has overturned a refusal for mixed housing at Muirhead, Glasgow

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dwellings were associated with the farm business this was of limited concern.

He was satisfied that there were no other major sources of noise, dust and odour close enough to result in cumulative impact within the appeal proposal. The development was ruled as in line with Defra guidance on dust impact as the maximum number of birds would be 80,000 and there are no dwellings within 100 metres.

Natural Resources Wales urged that the appeal should be decided on land use issues rather than emissions as the body was taking the “necessary steps” to ensure that the impact on sensitive receptors was satisfactorily assessed.

The effect on the settings of the Registered Park and Garden and buildings at Broad Heath House, Grade II listed building the Cat and Fiddle barn and the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Wapley Camp hill fort was also assessed.

£900,000 resulting in work for local contractors and suppliers.

The appellant was also awarded the costs of appeal proceedings after Jones decided that the council’s initial refusal was based on “little or no substantive evidence”, and so was “unreasonable behaviour”.

( CONCLUSION REACHED Jones said concerns over the chemical impact of dust on the planting of the historic garden were “not supported by any substantive evidence”.

He found that there was no basis to suggest there would be any adverse effect on tourism. A Rule 6 party of four local households involved in the inquiry argued that the poultry unit odour would affect local festivals because people would feel the need to stay indoors. But the council’s tourism marketing manager said this view would be hard to defend. Jones felt the proposal would contribute to the viability of the farming business and to the local economy through an investment of around

( CASE DETAILS Inspector Philip Ware decided that the appeal should be granted as the benefits of the affordable housing provision far outweighed any objections.

Clark gave consideration to the quashing of parts of the Solihull Local Plan (2013) (the LP) by the High Court in April 2014.

The legal challenge to the council’s decision to adopt the LP was made by the appellant Lioncourt Homes, and developer Gallagher Estates, which was seeking to develop adjacent land.

The court decision rendered the appeal site not within the green belt and resulted in the council not having an adopted housing target against which to assess

Appeal Ref: APP/ T6850/A/14/2213106

HOUSING

West Midlands ‘green belt’ plan approved ( SUMMARY Secretary of state Greg Clark has backed an inspector’s decision to grant permission for 190 homes in Fulford after a court ruling against elements of the Solihull local plan showed that most of the site was no longer green belt.

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A Welsh poultry farm will not harm nearby heritage assets, an inspector has ruled

a five-year housing supply.

Ware noted that the need for affordable housing in Solihull is “exceptionally high”, and that the proposal met the 40 per cent provision required by the LP. Clark agreed that this weighed in favour of the proposal. ( CONCLUSION REACHED Clark disagreed with Ware’s assessment that the use of the site’s remaining three hectares of green belt land as open space was inappropriate in line with the NPPF as it was a change of use from agricultural land. Clark found that the open space use amounted to provision of facilities for outdoor recreation and thus was appropriate green belt development.

Appeal Ref: APP/ Q4625/A/14/2220892

HOUSING

Seaside retirement homes approved ( SUMMARY A 38-apartment retirement complex has been approved in Seaford despite contention that plans did not comply I M AG E S | I STO C K

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with national planning policy on affordable housing. ( CASE DETAILS The proposal for a five-storey building on the site of a former garage was submitted to Lewes District Council by developer PegasusLife.

Inspector G D Jones noted that the council did not contest that the scheme would be unviable if affordable housing were to be secured at the current stage, but held that a built-in review mechanism, provided by the s.106 agreement, should be enforced to review viability.

Despite entering into this agreement, the appellant argued that the development accorded with local and national affordable housing policy and so the s.106 provision was unnecessary. ( CONCLUSION REACHED As all parties agreed with the appellants’ estimate that the proposal would be built as a single, unphased development within 12–18 months, Jones gave weight to Planning Practice Guidance stipulating that viability should be assessed on current costs and values.

Consideration was also given to the conclusion that such a revision clause could act as a “serious disincentive” to the implementation

of the proposal, and thus impede government aims to significantly boost housing supply. Jones agreed that the scheme would be suitable without the s.106 agreement.

He ruled that concerns over visual impact on the surroundings were unfounded. The design of the building he said, would “sit comfortably”, and represent an improvement on the current site appearance, which was dilapidated and “somewhat incongruous to the character… of the area”.

Appeal Ref: APP/ P1425/W/15/3008810

HOUSING

Clark backs Milton Keynes homes ( SUMMARY Communities secretary Greg Clark has allowed planning permission for 53 homes in Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, against the decision of Milton Keynes Council.

The appeal, submitted by Frosts Family LLP, was brought before him as it involved a development of more than 10 units in an area where a qualifying body has submitted a neighbourhood plan proposal to the planning authority. ( CASE DETAILS Clark agreed with inspector Roisin Barrett that the proposal would conflict with local plan (LP) policy S10 as it lies outside the Woburn Sands settlement boundary. The policy seeks to concentrate new development near existing settlements. But Barrett assessed that policy S10 is based on boundaries

that have not been defined on the basis of the level of growth required by the council’s Core Strategy – rendering it out of date and diminishing its weight against the appeal decision.

The 3 ha site is occupied by part of the Frosts Landscape Construction depot. The inspector noted that the proposal would cut activity around the site and replace its “semi-industrial appearance”.

Residential development nearby led Barrett to decide that the scheme would not be out of place, and that heavy planting and open space provision would keep the area’s visual amenity.

Although the inspector and Clark agreed that the proposal lies outside of the Woburn Sands settlement boundary and was not subject to the Woburn Sands Neighbourhood Plan (WSNP), the efforts of the scheme to preserve the rural setting and protect woodland and footpaths meant that it would not undermine key aims of the WSNP. ( CONCLUSION REACHED The appellant and the council agreed that the area needs 1,750 new homes a year, and that persistent under-delivery meant that a 20 per cent buffer should be applied. The council’s inability to show a five-year housing supply rendered housing policies out of date, leading Barrett to attach weight to the proposal’s ability to help meet needs.

Financial contributions were agreed by the appellant and approved by Clark, including sums for housing, transport and carbon neutrality/ sustainable construction.

Appeal Ref: APP/ Y0435/A/14/2224004

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LLegal landscape CONVERSION RIGHTS TO STAY

Jason Tann

The introduction of temporary permitted development rights in May 2013 offered a three-year window to developers to convert offices to residential accommodation without the requirement for planning permission.

These rights, which involve a much more straightforward prior approval process, were due to come to an end in May 2016. But the government has announced that they are to now become permanent.

The existing rights do not apply universally and at the time they were introduced local authorities were entitled to apply to exempt areas within their jurisdictions.

Areas that successfully obtained exemptions include Manchester City Centre, the City of London, the West End and Canary Wharf.

The recent announcement confirmed that these exemptions would remain in place until May 2019.

Thereafter, local authorities will need to rely on Article 4 directions (a power given to local authorities to remove nationally available rights from areas within their jurisdiction in certain circumstances) to prevent the rights from applying.

Outside the exempted areas, London has seen a significant take-up. Figures provided by the London boroughs reveal that 834,000 square metres of floor space were given prior approval for conversion in the scheme’s

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first two years. This will clearly result in the delivery of a significant amount of much-needed new housing and the regeneration of redundant office buildings and surrounding areas.

While welcomed by developers, the rights have not been without their critics. The significant difference in value between office and residential use in some parts of London has resulted in perfectly viable office buildings being turned into flats with a loss of jobs and other impacts on local economies. In addition, there has been much criticism of the fact that major residential schemes are being delivered without any obligation to make affordable housing and other contributions that could be required in a full planning application. There is no proposal to address this under

“OUTSIDE THE EXEMPTED AREAS LONDON HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT TAKE­UP”

the new permanent rights.

The take-up seen in London has not yet been replicated throughout the country. In many areas this is because the construction costs of converting old office buildings into new apartments render schemes unviable where residential values are low. This is despite the financial benefits of not having to go through the planning process. However, as house prices continue to rise across the UK, particularly in the commuter belts of London and the other larger cities, the viability of such conversions is likely to be met and the extension of the rights should allow such opportunities to be realised.

In addition to extending the change of use rights, the new proposals include allowing the demolition of office buildings and new building for residential use.

Currently this activity and any significant external alterations to enable a permitted change of use to be implemented would require full planning permission. Full details of this proposal and how it will work in practice

are to follow, but clearly this is a significant new addition to the rights and further dilution of local authorities’ control over this type of development.

The replacement of exemptions with Article 4 directions in due course is likely to present further opportunity for developers.

Such directions require the approval of the secretary of state, and he can modify any submitted directions.

Normally directions relate to very specific geographic areas and rely on particular grounds for exemption.

While local authorities will seek approval for directions for currently exempted areas (and indeed areas that at the moment benefit from rights) it is hard to see that directions could be used to cover entire boroughs as is currently the case, and some prime central London office buildings in areas such as Kensington and Chelsea may end up being released for conversion into very valuable apartments.

Jason Tann is head of commercial real estate at Pemberton Greenish LLP

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23/10/2015 17:05

LATEST POSTS FROM THEPLANNER.CO.UK/BLOGS

B LO G S The recent judgement in R (West Berkshire DC & Reading BC) v the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is a rare instance of the judiciary interfering with government powers to institute policy.

L E G I S L AT I O N S H O R T S Judicial ‘bruising’ to affordable housing policy John Pugh-Smith

Recent judgement saw new planning policy to exempt small developments from affordable housing contributions and the introduction of a vacant building credit (VBC) being ruled unlawful.

Mr Justice Holgate viewed changes made by the previous government to be too significant and inconsistent with other national policy and objectives reflected in local plans to have simply been introduced by amending policy guidance. It should have been done through primary legislation.

Like a number of local planning authorities, West Berks DC and Reading Council had recently been faced with reduced affordable housing provisions due to change to the Planning Practice Guidance, introduced in a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) of 28 Nov 14 which prevented authorities from seeking requirements for development of ten dwellings or fewer. The inclusion of the VBC also meant that the floor space of vacant buildings demolished through development would be deducted from affordable

housing requirements.

The councils argued that the policy would significantly reduce affordable housing across the country by more than 20 per cent with a particular impact in their areas (West Berks a loss of 23.5% of affordable housing units; Reading 15% of annual completions).

Their grounds of challenge included: the SSCLG had failed to take into account material considerations; the policy was inconsistent with the statutory scheme; failure to comply with the public sector equality duty; and the decision to introduce exemptions from affordable housing requirements was irrational.

The judge found that the WMS had not been formulated to be taken into account alongside local plan policies in development control decisions or as guidance when new local plan policies come to be formulated, concluding that the policy was inconsistent with the statutory scheme because its aim, and the language chosen, purported to confer exemptions in every case where affordable housing in an adopted local plan policy is inconsistent with national thresholds.

It was unlawful because the purported effect was to override relevant policies in the statutory development plan in so far as they are inconsistent with

national policy.

He agreed that the DCLG had not given proper evidence of the “disproportionate burden” the policy sought to address, thus preventing councils from properly responding to the consultation. While the DCLG argued that the VBC policy was intended to incentivise brownfield development, the judge held that the policy was made with a lack of proper consideration for its impact. The councils’ challenge succeeded on all other grounds. The DCLG has now obtained permission to appeal; an expedited hearing is due in December.

We are now faced with the likelihood of real harm. Applicants who have acquired land and/or undertaken development economic appraisals upon one set of assumptions are now faced with the reverse. LPAs may be forced to re-draft plans and encounter more appeals on affordable housing. After another judicial “bruising” from such robust policy changes taken in the name of his predecessor, it would be wise if the current Secretary of State took a more measured approach to tackling problems associated with brownfield and small-scale development.

John Pugh-Smith is a barrister and mediator at 39 Essex Chambers.

For his full article, visit www.39essex.com/acomprehensive-defeat/

Challenge to Borders wind turbines fails A second legal challenge to plans for two wind turbines at a Borders beauty spot has been rejected.

The local review body of Scottish Borders Council granted permission for Wind Direct’s plans for two 100-metre-tall turbines near Cockburnspath in March 2013. The decision was then unsuccessfully challenged at the Court of Session in January 2014.

The ‘reclaiming motion’ by objector Sally Carroll was this time refused by three judges. They said the initial decision by the local review body was lawful and complied with “relevant statutory requirements”. The planned location is near the Berwickshire Coast and Lammermuir Hills Special Landscape Areas and the Southern Upland Way.

Ruling quashed over ‘appearance of bias’ A High Court judge has quashed the granting of planning permission for a residential development in Wiltshire owing to the appearance of bias.

Outline planning permission for the 35 custombuilt residential dwellings in Warminster near the River Wylye, which included nine affordable homes, was initially granted in January 2015.

The claimant in Kelton v Wiltshire [2015] EWHC 2851 was a riparian owner living 700 metres downstream from the site. The applicants were HPH and HAB Housing. Selwood Housing Association was interested in the affordable housing part of the application.

Mr Justice Cranston found that Selwood director Councillor Magnus Macdonald’s participation in the decision to grant permission gave rise to an appearance of potential bias as defined by Lord Hope in Porter v Magill. Cranston noted that in other housing applications Macdonald’s position at Selwood might not have been an issue.

“Selwood, with Macdonald as a director, was not simply an affordable housing provider. Here it was the only provider which had been willing to give assistance on the scheme, had expressed a clear interest in delivering it, had been named by the applicants as their potential partner, and had written in support and attended the planning committee meeting when it was considered.”

No judicial review on fate of bats Permission for a review to challenge the Forest of Dean District Council’s approval of a mixed-use scheme for the Cindeford Northern Quarter because of its impact on the bat population has been refused.

The regeneration plan includes 195 homes and a hotel, and will lie close to the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bats.

The challenge said permission was granted unlawfully as measures to protect the bats were not secured; the council had not ascertained that the proposal would not adversely affect the SAC’s integrity.

Mr Justice Cranston found that various conditions plus an s.106 agreement meant that appropriate mitigation measures had been secured. He noted that Natural England agreed there would be no residual effects from the proposed development, and thus there was no basis to assess combination effects “when there are no effects to take into account”.

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CASE STUDY

Z ER O ­ CARBON S HOWCAS E

CASE ST UDY

AWARD: RTPI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROJECT NAME: HANHAM HALL KEY PLAYERS: SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL, BARRATT HOMES, HTA DESIGN, SOVEREIGN HOUSING, HOMES AND COMMUNITIES AGENCY

T H E PROJ ECT Hanham Hall had like many former National Health Service psychiatric hospitals fallen into disuse and lacked any very obvious alternative purpose.

Not only that, it was Grade 2* Listed but had so deteriorated that it was on English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ register.

A further complication to its reuse was its location on the edge of the Hanham Hills which, while not environmentally designated, are a popular green belt feature and several earlier attempts at re-use had come to nothing in part owing to objections about impeding views of the hills.

This version, though, won planning consent at its first attempt. Owner the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) decided to work with developer Barratt Homes and social landlord Sovereign Housing and to make Hanham Hall a zero-carbon demonstration project, a decision that helped to overcome environmental concerns.

The HCA national design team was much involved because of the demonstration project status, but it appointed HTA Design to work up a suitable project.

Planning partner Riette Oosthuizen explains: “We started it just as the code for sustainable homes came in and finished just as it ended, so that was quite interest-

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ing. It had to be designed to CSH level 6.

“Several previous planning applications had been rejected because of their impact on views of the Hanham Hills, and so for this the developer purchased an additional 2.5 hectares of green belt land to create a park as part of the project.”

This went beyond zero-carbon construction so that “there are allotments so people are encouraged to grow food and many other measures to encourage them to behave in more ecological ways like plenty of opportunity for walking and cycling, you can cycle into Bath from there, and Bristol is very close”, says Oosthuizen.

Barratt Homes has provided 187 new homes ranging from one-bedroom starter flats to five-bedroom houses.

A third of these are now owned by Sov-

“SEVERAL PREVIOUS PLANNING APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN REJECTED BECAUSE OF THEIR IMPACT ON VIEWS OF THE HANHAM HILLS”

ereign Housing, which has 54 for general needs affordable rent and seven for shared ownership. The remainder are privately owned.

Among the carbon reduction features, all houses at Hanham Hall have photovoltaic solar panels, and each home a mechanical ventilation heat recovery, which takes stale air from kitchens and bathrooms and recycles it as fresh air.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the homes are in the hospital grounds, not the original building.

Oosthuizen explains: “The council felt that converting the hospital to residential was not a good use of it, so it is now a multi-purpose building that will have a parish council meeting room, space for community use, and capacity for people to open offices and a local shop.

“We had a very willing local authority that was quite open about what they wanted and happy to work with us.”

Rob Nicholson, a planner with South Gloucestershire’s major sites team, says the hospital “had been allowed to deteriorate quite badly and was on English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ register, and various ideas had been tried and failed to bring it into use”.

This one might also have failed had public opinion had its way, he notes: “Local res-

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J U D G E S’ C O M M E N T S The judges were impressed by this the first large-scale housing scheme in England to achieve the 2016 zero-carbon standard and to do so in a fringe green belt suburban setting.

They noted the green amenities including a new park, communal greenhouses and allotments and that Hanham Hall will be run by a community interest company, which will maintain the buildings and grounds and promote a community initiatives including car sharing clubs, gardening groups and ‘walking school bus’ projects.

The judges said these activities would contribute to conserving the natural environment and the sustainable design of the buildings.

site was mothballed due to the recession and attempts were made at value engineering. It was helpful having them there as part of the applicant process”.

Hanham Hall has provided invaluable lessons in building to zero-carbon standards, says David Bond, technical director of Barratt Homes Bristol.

“We’ve learnt how to deliver this standard of housing”, he says and while acknowledging that building to zero-carbon standards is likely to become steadily cheaper Bond feels, “at the moment the costs of doing this are significantly higher than our traditional building cost, it would have to be adapted to make it viable for a commercial scheme”.

The project has allowed Barratt to share its experience with the government on developing approaches to zero-carbon construction.

THE OUTCOMES

idents did react to it, the surroundings are semi-detached suburbia and this does look very different”.

“I think it’s fair to say that residents did feel something more in keeping with the area should be built, but we felt we should be doing striking contemporary architecture and I think people now accept it more.

There is very good proportion and detailing there.”

Nicholson says the council “had to balance the fact that this gave us the refurbishment of the building against the impact on I M A G E S | B A R R AT T D E V E L O P M E N T S / T I M C R O C K E R

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Grade 2* Listed Hanham Hall had previously been on English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ register

the landscape of the Hanham Hills, which English Heritage did have some concerns about”.

The HCA’s involvement kept the project to its original design, he says, as it insisted on sticking to the detailing and materials specified and to the 33 per cent affordability criterion even “throughout times when the

A noteworthy listed building has been saved from decline and turned over to community use while its grounds have been used to create 187 new homes, one-third of them affordable, in a suburban area of some housing pressure between Bath and Bristol.

Hanham Hall has given the HCA and Barratt Homes a ‘live’ demonstration of how a zero-carbon development can be achieved, the lessons from which may be applied elsewhere despite the demise of the Code for Sustainable Homes and its partial replacement by entries in the Building Regulations.

The high environmental standards could in principle be replicated anywhere, including thermal and acoustic performance, use of daylight, internal space standards and provision of external amenity space.

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INSIGHT

Plan ahead P

Send feedback to editorial@theplanner.co.uk Tweet us @The Planner_RTPI

Bir Birmingham's Ri Richard Cowell wi will explain how England's second city is preparing for HS2

HS2 and beyond This year’s Politicians in Planning Association conference takes the theme of planning to deliver exceptional places.

Organised by the RTPI’s Politicians in Planning Network, the event takes place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre and aims to celebrate and explore how those elected to make crucial planning decisions can deliver the best possible places for their communities to live, work and play. The theme is all about making members the bestinformed they can be.

Housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis has been invited to speak, and the other contributors include Paul Barnard, assistant director of development at Plymouth City Council, Dr Mike Harris, deputy head of policy and practice and research at the RTPI, and a representative from the Planning Advisory Service, which is also sponsoring the event.

Representing the

“THE KEY INGREDIENT IS HOW YOU GET TO MAKE A PLACE SUCCESSFUL AND HOW THAT SUCCESS WOULD SPREAD OUT TO THE CITY CENTRE AND THEN TO THE REGION” 42

host city will be Richard Cowell, Birmingham City Council’s head of city centre development, who has previously spearheaded the Big City Plan. This set out a 20-year vision to ensure that Birmingham benefits from sustained economic growth to become an attractive city in which to live and work.

Cowell is now leading on the Curzon HS2 Masterplan, which has seized the attention of planners, developers and politicians across the country.

His speech will focus on HS2 and what the city council has been doing to promote and maximise the opportunities for economic growth and regeneration around this nationally important infrastructure scheme.

His presentation will explain the role of the council, its planners and leaders, how the station is an integrated

destination that works for the city by giving access to jobs as well as improved connectivity, and the importance of its design in leaving a legacy to the area and a sense of place.

“The key ingredient is how you get to make a place successful and how that success would spread out to the city centre and then to the whole region,” he says.

“It’s about how you see the importance of place-making, not just as an infrastructure

scheme, but also somewhere people can move through and experience it too.

“Once you get the station right and the environment around it, what do you need to do for the wider area to support economic growth? How as planners and the city council, do you take that plan and turn it into a reality?”

Cowell also stresses that the lessons being learned on the Curzon HS2 Masterplan can easily be applied to any kind of project, “whether it’s a major programme or a small estate renewal scheme”.

Indeed, these are vital lessons for the conference’s target audience, many of whom will be members and portfolio holders with new planning responsibilities following this year’s elections.

The conference will also focus on up-to-date planning issues including delivering housing, maximising the benefits of major infrastructure projects and delivering exceptional places in times of resource constraints.

This will be in the form of plenary sessions and breakout sessions designed to generate discussion.

C O M I N G T O G ET H E R What: Politicians in Planning Conference 2015 Where: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham When: Saturday 28 November 2015 Find out more and book: tinyurl.com/planner1115-WM-2811, or email pipa@rtpi.org.uk

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DIARY

LISTINGS Talks, conferences, training, master classes – everything you need to keep on top of the latest thinking and developments in the planning world.

LONDON 4 November – Cultural heritage in the planning system This masterclass gives developers and planners all of the tools needed to deal with heritage and archaeology during the planning process. Trainers: Edmund Simons, principal built heritage consultant, URS; and Ken Sabel, associate director, Atkins.

Venue: The Hatton (etc Venues), 51-53 Hatton Garden, London Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-LO-0411 4 November – RTPI London, PIA and NZPI present: A roof over our heads?

London’s population will exceed 10 million by 2030.

This event showcases the latest thinking from the development industry and housing charities, investigating solutions to the challenges faced.

Venue: Battersea Power Station, London SW8 5BN Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-HousingLO-0411 10 November – Sustainability appraisal: current & emerging issues Participants should already understand the basic legal requirements and process of SEA/SA and should have attended the RTPI introductory masterclass on SEA/SA or have been involved in carrying out stages of an SEA/SA. Venue: The Hatton Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-LO-1011 11 November – Introduction to management for planning professionals This one-day programme will provide a practical guide for new managers to enable them to better manage their teams and achieve business objectives.

Venue: The Hatton Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-LO-1111

19 November – Planning for energy in regeneration & retrofitting This free workshop is aimed at local authority officers involved in spatial planning, energy, housing, regeneration and sustainability officers, as well as partners and stakeholders from private or community organisations involved in planning and delivering regeneration proposals.

Venue: London Legacy Development Corporation, Level 10, 1 Stratford Place, Montfichet Road, Stratford Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-LO-1911

SOUTH EAST 16 November – RTPI South-East AGM Hear about what the region does and what is planned for the next year.

Venue: Henley Business School, University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Wokingham RG6 6UD Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-SE-1611

EAST OF ENGLAND 4/5 November – Housing regeneration around the world: World Town Planning Day online conference (2 days) Join planners around the world in the World Town Planning Day online conference on ‘Housing Regeneration Around the World’. Join online via planningtheworld. net and the discussion on Twitter @WTPDonlineConf #WTPD2015 Venue: Green Duck Conference Centre, Technology House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3SP Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-EE-0411 6 November – East of England planning law update This annual law update

DON’T MISS The great devolution debate: Inquiry-style debate on devolution to sub-regions and neighbourhoods Witnesses will give evidence to a panel of academics, politicians and RTPI president Janet Askew with chair, John Hess, former BBC East Midlands political editor. The panel will take questions from the floor and discuss the issues raised through devolution of planning to sub-regions from the national level and to communities through neighbourhood planning.

Followed by the regional AGM. Date: Friday 4 December 2015 Venue: City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ Details: tinyurl.com/Planner1115-EM-0412

conference will include presentations from leading planning law professionals.

Venue: Downing College, Cambridge CB2 1DQ Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-EE-0611

YORKSHIRE 12 November – Annual planning law update The annual planning law update reviews significant statutory changes,.

Venue: Northern Ballet, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PA Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-YO-1211 18 November – Halifax: regeneration & investment in action This seminar considers how Halifax’s iconic heritage was secured through investment, funding and partnership arrangements.

A study tour will take in landmark projects.

Venue: Town Hall, Halifax Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-YO-1811

NORTH WEST 4 November – CIL & S106 update The event considers the impact on developments of CIL and S106 requirements and how LPAs and applicants can work together to assess the impact on viability and enable a good outcome.

Venue: BDP, Manchester Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-NW-0411

NORTH EAST 5 November – How do you solve a problem like housing?

The conference examines ways in which the house building industry and planning can work together to deliver more quality homes in the right places.

Venue: Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-NE-0511 18 November – Young Planners landscape-led masterplanning Oliver Brown, DLA, will give a talk on the principles of landscape-led masterplanning.

Venue: Newcastle University, 3rd Floor, Claremont Tower, Newcastle upon Tyne Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-NE-1811 25 November – Environmental Impact Assessment This one-day conference explores recent changes to the procedures and practice of screening and scoping through to the assessment by the LPA of the submitted assessment.

Venue: Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-NE-2511

NORTH WEST 11 November – Development management update An update on the development management issues facing all sectors.

Venue: Hotel Football, Old Trafford M16 0SZ Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-NW-1111 18 November – Infrastructure & economic prosperity

Hear from speakers about HS2, northern transport proposals, local connectivity, the role of airports, and those working on the devolution agenda.

Venue: Harwood Room, Barnes Wallis Suit, University of Manchester Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-NW-1811

WEST MIDLANDS 10 November – WM planning law update A seminar led by planning lawyers on topical legal issues, new and emerging legislation and guidance, recent case law and appeal decisions.

Venue: DLA Piper Offices, Victoria House, Victoria Square, Birmingham Details: tinyurl.com/ Planner1115-WM-1011

EAST MIDLANDS 23 November – Brownfield developments A half-day seminar looks at government policy to target house building on brownfield sites.

Venue: Nottingham City Council, Station Street, Nottinghamshire NG2 3NG, Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-EM-2311

IRELAND 12 November – RTPI Ireland annual dinner Network with colleagues, hear about planning issues and get an update. The dinner will begin with a drinks reception at 7pm.

Venue: Davenport Hotel, Dublin Details: tinyurl.com/ planner1115-IR-1211

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NEWS

RTPI {

RTPI news pages are edited

by Josh Rule at the RTPI, 41 Botolph Lane, London EC3R 8DL

Stephen Wilkinson to be RTPI’s President in 2017

b b b b b b

honoured to be elected and will work hard to serve the interests of the membership during my presidential year.”

The following candidates were elected:

Cath Ranson Andrew Coleman Janet O’Neil David Edmondson Jennifer Winyard Meeta Kaur

TRUSTEE FOR YOUNG PLANNERS b

Lucy Seymour-Bowdery was co-opted onto the Board

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

TRUSTEE FOR REGIONS AND NATIONS

Corporate Trustees:

b

b b b

Colin Haylock Peter Geraghty Samer Bagaeen

Tom Venables was co-opted onto the Board

STUDENT/LICENTIATE MEMBERS b

Simon Brooksbank was elected unopposed

b

Camilla Bebb was co-opted onto General Assembly Charlotte Orrell was co-opted onto General Assembly

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Corporate Members: b b b

Steven S te Wilkinson

b b

The RTPI has held its annual elections for the Vice-President, the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly.

Stephen Wilkinson (pictured, right) has been elected as the RTPI VicePresident in 2016 and will lead the Institute in 2017.

Stephen Wilkinson said: “I feel

b b

John Acres Pamela Ewen Ann Skippers Claire Davies Gareth Capner John Mattocks Sameer Bagaeen (As he will be a

member of General Assembly by virtue of election to the Board, he has subsequently decided not to take his place. Jesse Honey, as the next candidate, will fill this vacancy) b

b

LEGAL ASSOCIATE MEMBER b

Nigel Hewitson was co-opted on to General Assembly

n For more information: http://rtpi. org.uk/about-the-rtpi/governance/rtpielections/

Hazel McKay

RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2016 – open for entry Entries for the 14 projects, projects plans and people categories for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence are now open. The Awards celebrate the positive contribution that planners and planning make and highlight exceptional examples of planning. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 5 May 2016.

Entering is a low-cost, high-impact way to highlight planning achievements to potential clients, peers and stakeholders. Entries will be accepted until 4pm on 30 November 2015.

Submissions for projects and plans are open in the following Awards categories:

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(1) Excellence in Planning for Heritage (2) Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment (3) Excellence in Planning for Community and Well-being (4) Excellence in Planning to Create Economically Successful Places (5) Excellence in Planning to Deliver Housing (6) Excellence in Planning to Deliver Infrastructure (7) Excellence in Plan Making Practice (8) International Award for Excellence in Planning (New in 2016) The Awards recognise exemplary individuals, teams and practices in these categories: (9) Employer Award for Excellence (10) Local Authority Planning Team of the Year (11) Small Planning Consultancy of the Year

(12) Planning Consultancy of the Year (13) Young Planner of the Year (14) Volunteer Planner of the Year (New in 2016) There is no requirement to be a member of the RTPI to enter the Awards and entries can be submitted by the planner, architect, planning authority, developer, or client. The Young Planner and Volunteer Planner of the Year categories can only be entered by RTPI members.

If you wish to raise your profile we have an array of sponsorship opportunities available.

Please contact Rebecca Hildreth via Rebecca.

Hildreth@rtpi.org.uk. n For more information go to www.rtpi.org.uk/excellence

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Editorial E: rtpinews@rtpi.org.uk

RTPI (switchboard) T: 020 7929 9494

Registered charity no.

262865 Registered charity in Scotland SCO37841

3 POINT PLAN A planner explains how they would change the English planning system

Viral Desai RTPI Young Planner of the Year & CAP YP coordinator

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PLANNING CONSULTANT, AMEC FOSTER WHEELER The English Planning system should be supported by a national plan, as in Scotland and Wales. This would help deliver infrastructure and the coherence required to deliver sustainable growth in all of England. Losing a regional tier of government meant a loss of coherence and context, but I’m optimistic that the Devolution Bill and city regions may plug gaps left by the regional spatial strategies.

In an era of localism, the views of young people are still under-represented and more effective policy should be laid out to ensure they are appropriately consulted. The Dept of Energy & Climate Change’s consultation with young people on energy policy showed that 81 per cent thought onshore wind was the fairest energy technology, while 94 per cent thought it was solar.

Young people are in favour of renewable energy, but with the moratorium on onshore wind and axing of solar subsidies it seems our energy policy is confused. We need to be more actively involved in changing the planning system to discharge our duty to people, sustainability and the environment.

YOUR INSTITUTE, YOUR QUESTIONS RON MCGILL, MRTPI, SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE KENYA MUNICIPAL PROGRAMME

Does the RTPI look at international issues and best practice and, if so, why?

MARION FREDERIKSEN, INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND RESEARCH OFFICER The RTPI is international in its outlook with 1,300 members in 82 countries. Climate change, rapid urbanisation and the recent global economic crisis, for example, are international issues that all planners face.

The RTPI has a dedicated international mission statement, an International Policy and Research Officer and an International Committee. We also have an International Development Network that shares news and best practice with 800 followers. The institute is a member of the World Urban Campaign, the Global Planners Network, the Commonwealth Association of Planners, the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTPCEU) and the International Federation of Housing and Planning.

BETTER and more effective strategic/ regional elements to planning, including a national plan for England

IMPROVED policy and encouragement within the planning system to get young people involved in the planning process

CLEAR and effective energy policy, which reflects an energy mix that includes renewable energy

POSITION POINTS

INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND HABITAT III Marion Frederiksen, International Policy and Research Officer A new international agreement on tackling greenhouse gas emissions from 2020 is being negotiated by the UN Framework on Climate Change.

The aim at the Conference of the Parties in Paris in December is to deliver an updated and legally binding version of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. This will aim for lowcarbon societies that can adapt to climate change, to keep global warming within a 2°C limit and for a continued fall in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sustainable Development Goals replace the existing Millennium Development Goals with Agenda 2030.

Signatories will sign at the United Nations conference on Housing and Sustainable Development (Habitat III) in Ecuador in 2016. It aims to set a new global sustainable urban development agenda and a dedicated New Urban Agenda. Together these strategies will help to guide rural and urban development efforts.

The RTPI has raised awareness of the role planning plays in achieving these aims, through The Worldwide Value of Planning and Delivering Better Development, which demonstrate the value of planning in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering sustainable development.

For details visit: http://unfccc.int/2860.php and: www.habitat3.org/

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NEWS

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CHARTERED MEMBERS JOINED JULY­SEPT 2015

PLANNING THEORY AND PR ACTICE

Congratulations to our newly elected Chartered Members between July-September 2015 “Many congratulations to all of our new Chartered Members. Employers rightly recognise the hallmark of professional expertise and integrity conferred by charter status. Being a chartered member of the RTPI makes you part of a community at the forefront of planning” – Janet Askew, RTPI president.

Victoria Pinoncely Research Officer

Bridging the gap between planning scholarship & practice

VOLUME 16

2015 SEPTEMBER NUMBER 3 VOLUME 16

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ORY & PRACTIC

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The issue’s Interface presents contributions and reflections from planning educators and their students on approaching planning education through partnerships with community.

It is an important reminder that scholarship takes place beyond the university, and action is intrinsic to scholarly practice. In the reviews section, Hugh Ellis from the TCPA calls explicitly for renewed action toward socially progressive town planning, Carolyn Whitzman reviews the latest strategic metropolitan plan for Melbourne, and Andrea RestrepoMieth reviews Mark Purcell’s The Down-Deep Delight of Democracy.

PLANNING THE

The latest edition of the RTPI’s journal Planning Theory and Practice (volume 16, issue 3, out now), investigates the tension between planning scholarship and practice.

In the editorial, Libby Porter discusses the interface of different kinds of practice, action and knowledge production, underlining the importance of practitioner knowledge. Following this, Charles Hoch et al presents results of research on planners in the US implementing a groundwater plan that demands multi-stakeholder and multi-scale coordination at a regional level and the potential of agent-based models as a planning tool.

Sébastien Lord et al discuss the use of scenarios as both tools of research and of decision-making in the context of Luxembourg, showing the tension between plans and what is actually being implemented due to land availability resources and the role of local planning authorities.

Two articles focus on Israel: Shlomit Flint’s focuses on the Kiryat-Ha’Yovel neighbourhood in Jerusalem, where group action to claim space and to retain the right to control a homogenous religious and social neighbourhood has resulted in the reshaping of neighbourhoods; Deborah Shmueli et al focus on the field of environmental policy in Israel.

Marlijn Baarveld et al discuss dealing with conflict in planning decisionmaking in the Netherlands.

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ISSN: 1464-935

Alec Nathan Anthony Joseph Ayoubkhania Alexander Ball Laura Barrowclough Karen Bartlett Katie Baughan Fergus Bootman Hannah Bowler Tim Butcher Sian Butt Kathleen Byer Stuart Carvel Lorraine Elizabeth Casey Edward Francis Cheng Ling Chi Cheung Michael Clarkson Jenna Conway Amy Natalie Cooper Imogen Cotterill Mhairi-Anne Cowie Andrew John Cunningham John Rhys Davies Andrew Deacon Rebecca Doull Natasha Durham Peter John Dutton Sarah Ann Edwards Laura Elias Nicola Elliott Helen Elizabeth ElliottSmith Martin Graham Evans Katy Louise Falls Megan Jane Farmer Lucy Farrow Rosanna Fox Rebecca Ellen Frost Ian George Fullilove James Garside Elizabeth Garvey Ian Peter Gibbons Jonathan David Goodall Ashley Gary Grant Belinda Clayre Greenwell Caroline Hall Stuart Hammond Niall Hanrahan Killian Harrington Paul James Harris Andrew Hattersley Gerald Daniel Patrick Hegarty Adam Henry Carl Brian Holden Richard James Holland Kirstie Hopcroft David Huckfield R Rebecca Hurst C Claire Hutt R Richard Hugh James C Christine Susan James St Stephen John Jenkins R Richard Jewkes R Rachel Jones M Mary Kearns R Rachel Kathleen Kellas M Mark James Knighting M Marcin Koszyczarek Jo John Ian Krawczyk V Victoria Lane La Lauren Laviniere H Hui Liao Ry Ryan Llewellyn C Christopher David Logan N Nicolas Lopez A Andy MacGibbon Em Emma Louise MacWilliam St Stephen William Mair Ts Tsz Wai Mak A Ashley Maltman

Peter Spencer Philip Mansbridge Ross Manson Rebecca May Paul Gerard McDermott Sean McCarthy Ashleigh Michnowiec Christopher Miell Harmeet Singh Minhas Graham Mitchell Aoife Murphy Jack William Murphy Mairead Murphy Claire Myles Philip David Nicholls Robert Nugent Michael O’Brien Debbie Olson Annabel Claire Osborne Eleanor Frances Overton Sarah-Jane Owen Andrew Owen Hannah Owens Helena Yuen San Pang Katie Parsons Greg Pearce Susannah Pettit Ian Pickup Julia Katherine Podedworny Thomas Jeffrey Jones Powell Mark William Powney James Preece Katherine Emma Priest Leona Quigley Peter Rawlinson Alan James Redmond Nicola Reed Thomas Mark Relph Deborah Jane Renn Adam Colin Reynolds Mark Andrew Roberts Alice Routledge Simon Rowles Daniel Mark Roycroft John Benedict Rudge Yvonne Sampoh Josephine Samuels Robert Schofield Joseph Nicholas Seymour Craig Slack Hannah Smith Brendan Paul Starkey Katie Stewart Matthew Stopforth Adam Stratford Mark Alexander Stringer Andrea Suddes Peter David Taylor Leigh Thomas Jennifer Anne Thompson Kate Frances Todd Elizabeth Ann Tully Prematha Velayutham Adam Wadsworth Zilong Wang Jonathan Waugh Hilary Frances Wilkinson Nicholas Robert Williams Lorayne Woodend Craig Woolmer Michael Worthington Chris Wright Katie Ellen Yeoman Zachary J Young Edward James Haldane Youngson

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RTPI Y ACTIVIT E PIPELIN Current RTPI work – what the Institute is doing and how you can help us DEVELOPING ASKS AHEAD OF THE 2016 NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTIONS The planning system in Northern Ireland has changed dramatically over the past year, with extraordinary changes to structure, legalisation, procedures, boundaries, systems and in many cases working relationships. RTPI Northern Ireland is making four asks of the parties in Northern Ireland for the next term in the Northern Ireland Assembly to build upon the structures recently introduced in Northern Ireland, to build confidence in the system and value the people involved in the delivery. Being given the political support planning deserves will enable planners – in the public and private sectors – politicians, local communities and investors to deliver a sustainable and healthy Northern Ireland that will be competitive and opportunistic. To provide feedback contact claire.williamson@rtpi.org.uk. Our election asks can be found at: n www.rtpi.org.uk/northernireland

ARE YOU OR DO YOU KNOW A POLITICIAN WHO WANTS TO PLAN TO DELIVER EXCEPTIONAL PLACES? The RTPI’s Politicians in Planning Association (PIPA) Annual Conference will take place on 28 November at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. The theme this year is planning to deliver exceptional places, celebrating and exploring how those elected to making planning decisions can make the most well-informed decisions to deliver the best possible places for their communities to live, work and play.

Thanks to the Planning Advisory Service, the event is free for politicians to attend.

More information: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/events/events-calendar/2015/november/ planning-to-deliver-exceptional-places/ n RSVP to pipa@rtpi.org.uk

WHERE IS ENGLAND’S GREATEST PLACE? The institute has already received thousands of votes in its England’s Greatest Places competition and there is still time to vote if you haven’t already. Voting for your ‘greatest place’ is open until 20 November. The finalists are: Letchworth Garden City, East of England; Peak District, East Midlands; Brindley Place, Birmingham, West Midlands; Kings Cross Regeneration, London; Kielder Park, North-East; Liverpool Waterfront, North-West; Thame High Street, South-East; Bath, South-West; Bristol, South-West; and Saltaire, Yorkshire. n Vote here: rtpi.org.uk/egpvoting or on Twitter or Instagram using #RTPIGreatPlaces

LORD BOB KERSLAKE TO GIVE ANNUAL LECTURE Lord Bob Kerslake will give the annual RTPI Nathaniel Lichfield Lecture, given in memory of Nat Lichfield and once again generously supported by Dalia Lichfield.

Lord Kerslake, is a long-serving, influential senior civil servant, and has serving as Permanent Secretary at the Department of Communities and Local Government.

He was introduced as a life peer earlier this year and currently serves as the chair of the King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust and chair of the IPPR’s London Housing Commission.

This lecture will be held on Wednesday 26 November at 7PM at Darwin Theatre, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT. Tickets are £10 (plus VAT). There are limired free places available to students. n To book please go to www.rtpi.org.uk/nll

RTPI SHORTS

2016 SUBSCRIPTIONS Members will soon be receiving details of their RTPI subscription for 2016. Subscriptions are due for renewal on 1 January annually. There will be no increase in rates next year. We have continued to invest in services to provide you with the maximum support as and when you need it. We have also, by being prudent, been able to provide free membership to all students on RTPI-accredited courses and to undertake vital work to promote the profession and the RTPI to a new generation of planners, governments and stakeholders.

We remain committed to keeping subscriptions as low as possible while still providing a high-quality service. The RTPI continues to grow, demonstrating that members recognise the value and importance of their professional institute and the support it provides.

You can spread the cost by setting up a direct debit for payment in equal quarterly instalments. You also have the option of paying online by credit or debit card. You may qualify for a reduced subscription fee if you are on a low income or if you started maternity leave during the previous calendar year. n If you have any queries email subscriptions@rtpi. org.uk or phone 020 7929 9463.

RTPI PARTY CONFERENCE EVENTS SHOW PLANNING REMAINS HIGH ON AGENDA Planning remains high on the political agenda was the very clear message from this year’s Liberal Democrats, Labour and Conservative party conferences.

The RTPI team led by President Janet Askew and immediate Past President Cath Ranson attended and spoke at events held in Bournemouth, Brighton and Manchester. Speakers at RTPI events, which were put on in partnership with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) included: Labour Shadow Housing and Planning minister Roberta Blackman-Woods MP; Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee; Bob Neil MP, former Planning Minister; and Chair of the Justice Select Committee.

Shadow Minister for Housing & Planning, Roberta Blackman-Woods told the audience that Labour sees planning as a means to the growth and prosperity this country needs while at the Conservative Party Conference event, the audience heard that cuts to planning services had already been very significant and needed to be halted. Both events were well attended

by RTPI members, delegates, politicians and other stakeholders. They form part of the RTPI’s ongoing engagement with politicians of all parties.

RTPI’S INITIAL RESPONSE TO PUBLICATION OF HOUSING & PLANNING BILL The RTPI has welcomed the government’s focus on house building in the new Housing and Planning Bill but has warned that a range of other issues need to be addressed to ensure that houses are delivered. n http://www.rtpi.org.uk/briefing-room/newsreleases/2015/october/rtpis-initial-response-topublication-of-housing-and-planning-bill/

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ADVERTISEMENTS

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Malvern Hills District Council seeks a Senior Planning Officer to join its proactive and customer focussed development control service to handle a wide variety of planning applications and appeals.

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22/10/2015 17:07

WE CAN HELP YOU FIND YOUR PERFECT JOB

O R Y O U R PERFECT CA ND ID ATE

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theplanner.co.uk/jobs

C O N TA C T Contact the recruitment team on 020 7880 7665 or email david.barry@redactive.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENTS

The Miller Group is a major UK property business specialising in housebuilding and commercial property. Miller Homes has established a tradition for building family homes over the last 80 years. We have a reputation for delivering sectorleading quality, sustainable homes and providing excellent levels of customer service. We operate from six geographical regions across the UK.

Due to the continued success of the business, the following vacancies have arisen within our Scotland Area Business:

LAND MANAGER Based in our Glasgow Office and supporting the Land Director, you will be responsible for the identification and negotiation of land and development opportunities predominantly across the West of Scotland Area.

Your duties will include negotiation with Land Owners and Agents, progressing deals, post offer acceptance and negotiating and progressing conditional contracts, legally and technically, towards clearing conditional contract items and to site purchase in line with budget and forecast requirements.

The successful candidate will ideally have extensive experience of land acquisition, preferably gained in a private house building environment. Your key skills will include negotiation, communication, numeracy, report writing, data analysis, IT proficiency (including MS Excel), Project Management & presentation skills. Ideally you will have a degree in property/planning or will be qualified by relevant experience.

LAND ASSISTANT Based in our Edinburgh Office and supporting the Land Director, the role will include the identification of land and development opportunities both short and medium term, research and appraisal work, preparation of offers and board reports and assisting the Directors in their negotiation with Land Owners and Agents.

The successful candidate will assist the Land team in their day to day functions. Ideally you will have had experience of land acquisition, preferably gained in a private house building environment or alternatively be a recent graduate in either a planning or surveying discipline (other qualifications may be considered). Your key skills will include negotiation, communication, numeracy, report writing, data analysis, IT proficiency (including MS Excel), Project Management and presentation skills.

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How to apply Please submit your Curriculum Vitae and covering letter including details of your current salary and notice period to Arthur Mann at the below address or arthur.mann@miller.co.uk.

Miller Homes, Miller House, 2 Lochside View, Edinburgh Park, Edinburgh, EH12 9DH, United Kingdom Closing Date: 27th November 2015 This job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

The Miller Group is an equal opportunities employer and has Investor in People (Gold) status.

‘We are committed to Equal Opportunities and actively encourage applications from disabled people.

Disabled applicants will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the job’.

www.miller.co.uk

22/10/2015 17:11

Principal Planning Officer and Senior Planning Officer Ref: ESBC000000220 & ESBC000000219

DM032 – Planning Team Leader (Major Applications & Appeals) Grade J/K (Career Graded) Salary From £29,558 – up to £37,483 South Staffordshire is a District of 27 rural villages, a ‘community of communities’.

We are seeking a quali¿ed planner to lead our Major Applications Team across a variety of key development projects. We are the home of a strategic employment site that includes JLR and we also manage the development pressures associated with our Green Belt heritage - adjoining the West Midlands Conurbation.

Successful candidate will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience at least 2 years of which has been completed post quali¿cation, and have (or be working towards) Corporate Membership of RTPI. This is a career graded post and achievement of Grade K is subject to meeting additional criteria speci¿ed in the Job Description.

Possession of a driving licence and suitable vehicle is essential for this post.

For further information and to download an application form please visit our website at www.sstaffs.gov.uk/jobs.

up to £37,000 per annum Car Necessity scheme and payment of professional fees East Staffordshire Borough Council serves a population of approximately 110,000 and is a mix of urban and rural areas. The principal town of Burton upon Trent is known for its brewing heritage and the smaller settlement of Uttoxeter is a market town. The rural areas are varied and characterised by small hamlets and villages, often historic in origin and containing substantial conservation areas.

The Borough Council has a small but very effective Development Control Team which handles a wide variety of applications ranging from major residential and commercial proposals to householder, agricultural and other applications.

Officers have the opportunity to experience the varied nature of applications which are reflective of the character of the Borough.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals with a strong commitment to customer care to work within our Development Control Team. You will deal with the processing of all levels of planning applications, appeals and other development control functions, providing planning advice to the public and other stakeholders both verbally and in writing.

You will be required to have a relevant degree and previous experience working in development control. Knowledge of planning legislation, a full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential. You should also have experience of handling major applications and achieved full membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Apply via www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or www.wmjobs.co.uk Please note we do not accept CV’s.

Closing date for applications is: Monday 23rd November 2015.

Canvassing Will Disqualify.

This Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Closing date: 30th November 2015 Interview date: 18th December 2015

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INSIGHT

Plan B P

Concluding this month’s international theme, Plan B reports from the ECTP-EU biennial conference on cities and technology in Dublin. Can someone point our columnist towards the airport now please?

NOT SUCH A SMART CITY Just how smart are smart cities?

Much discussion at the conference focused on the inequalities that are emerging in modern, technologically-driven cities – particularly London.

TCPA policy guru Hugh Ellis lamented the “social cleansing” taking place in England’s capital, and journalist Peter Hetherington rued the loss of London’s “inclusivity”. Meanwhile, the RTPI’s Joe Kilroy highlighted LSE research showing that hightech business clusters intensify social and financial inequalities.

As Plan B writes, the Beeb is running a story about the hundreds of homeless families being shipped out of the city by hapless London boroughs who have run out of council housing and who can’t afford the inflated rents in the private rented sector.

Unconstrained property speculation is hardly a recipe for a healthy city. Some would speculate that we are gutting London of its life and creating the conditions for a socially denuded monoculture of the wealthy and overprivileged. If we stay on this course, such people might further contend, then London will slide into entropy because none of the people who actually make the city work will be able to afford to live or commute there.

Any city that allows this to happen, however clever its technology, cannot possibly be considered smart. In fact, it’s utterly moronic. London should stand in a corner with a gigantic dunce’s hat on its head. Oh, it already has one – The Shard.

A CHILD’S EYE VIEW OF PLANNING

IMAGES | ISTO CK

There are lights in the data darkness. The smart cities conference also heard from two Norwegian young planners piloting a digital platform designed to engage schoolchildren in planning consultations.

The process uses maps to help the young people explore what they like, dislike and would like to change about their built environment, and it begins by looking at that most familiar journey – the route to school.

What’s emerging is turning adult assumptions about place on their head. The kids are identifying as no-go areas the kind of locations that had seemed perfectly safe to adults, and highlighting the most unlikely places where they play.

Plan B thinks many places would be considerably improved if they were planned by children. Thus we invite you to ask your children to redesign the cities, towns, villages and streets where they live, showing what their perfect place would be like – and then send them to us.

Please email their schemes to editorial@theplanner. co.uk If we receive any contributions, we’ll feature them in a future Plan B. Thanking you.

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PLANTHROPOLOGY It turns out that giant computer chip maker (as in it is a very large company that makes computer chips, not – oh never mind) Intel employs an anthropologist, to help the company understand how people actually use technology.

Plan B wonders whether every local authority and consultancy shouldn’t employ a ‘planthropologist’ to observe planners in their natural environments – in the office, at motorway service stations, on building sites, down the pub on a Friday night.

Maybe they could then make recommendations to government on how to create a planning system that accommodates the actual skills, ambitions and capabilities of a threatened people before they disappear completely…

n Are you a budding planthropologist? Tweet us - @ThePlanner_RTPI 23/10/2015 17:06

BOOK NOW!

THE

NATHANIEL

LICHFIELD

ANNUAL LECTURE 2015

THURSDAY

The lecture will be delivered by Lord Kerslake, Chair of the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Tickets: £12 (£10 + VAT).

Limited RTPI Student free tickets are available.

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NOVEMBER

To book, please go to:

www.rtpi.org.uk/NLL For updates: #RTPILecture Lord Kerslake

The lecture is generously supported by Dalia Lichfield.

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Registration: 6:30pm Lecture commences 7:00pm The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

Darwin Theatre, University College London Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT

20/10/2015 12:56

Planning & Development • Commercial Residential • Rural

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20/10/2015 12:58