PiSussex, 29 June 2015 Catriona Riddell

1. PiSussex, 29 June 2015Catriona Riddell What next for Planning?

2. Reflections of the last five years • Be careful what you wish for - scrapping of regional planning has led to increased housing provision based on OANs • Plan-based system important due to 5-year land supply rule – apart from Green Belt areas • Duty to Cooperate proves it has teeth, but fails to deliver effective strategic planning • Spatial priorities are now less integrated with economic and infrastructure priorities • Planning reduced in status in both Central and Local Government • Local communities have more say over location of new development but not quantum.

3. The next 5 years - Central Government & Planning • No major changes promised (so far!) • Government restructuring – role of planning in CLG ‘super’ department, loss/redistribution of BIS/ DECC functions • Potential for increased Government dictation- energy (fracking) / national spatial plan/plan for the Northern Powerhouse, new towns • Increasing role for SoS as arbitrator in decisions e.g. recovered appeals, LPs – what does this mean for role of PINs • Increasing emphasis on housing delivery (Housing Task Force) • The Devolution revolution

4. The next 5 years - Central Government & Planning Cities & Local Government Bill • Confirms Greater Manchester devolution agreement • Transfer of significant powers and funding to CAs with elected mayor (planning not explicit) • Other city regions looking at model but not keen on mayor aspect • Application of model outside cities still to be clarified • Has already generated significant interest in South East • Scepticism about whether real devolution on offer – lack of confidence in local government

5. The next 5 years - Local Government & Planning • Local Government reorganisation unlikely • Increasing number of Combined Authorities as alternative to reorganisation • More cutbacks lead to new ways of working - more shared services • Planning reasserting itself as facilitator of growth, not enemy of enterprise • Regional planning baggage finally disappears as acceptance that ‘strategic’ doesn’t mean ‘regional’ • Closer links between planning, economic development and housing

6. The next 5 years - Local communities & Planning • Greg Clarke the ‘champion’ of Localism • Continued emphasis on Neighbourhood Plans • Decisions ‘in the interests of the greater good’ becoming more difficult to make at local level • Increasing number of anti-development councillors and sympathisers (particularly in SE) • Local communities given increasing power to influence decisions on ‘challenging’ issues such as wind power

7. The next 5 years - LEPs & Planning • LEPs still variable in performance & impact on planning but are here to stay • Some changes in geography expected and in roles - will depend on LG governance (i.e. emergence of CAs) and profile within Government (i.e. if BIS disbanded and LEP responsibility transfers to DCLG) • Still reluctance to get involved in ‘politics of planning’ particularly in relation to housing numbers but tied into planning through Growth Deals • Next round of Strategic Economic Plans will need to be more responsive to spatial priorities • Key roles likely to be evidence-base, aligning economic & housing strategies, delivery of strategic infrastructure priorities

8. The next 5 years - What next for planning? • Although no plans to review NPPF, increasing number of incremental changes expected e.g. through Ministerial Statements • Increased drive for housing delivery, particularly on brownfield/ public land - but issues around GB/env constraints, viability and how much will be ‘new’. • Continued emphasis on meeting OANs and 5-year land supply – but different rules apply to GB areas • Increased protection for Green Belt – already signalled in March 15 statement - will have implications for city growth (incl London) • Increasing interference/control from Government - recovered appeals, call-ins (both DM and LPs), national housing standards • Tougher stance on unpopular issues e.g. wind turbines, Travellers • Continued slow take-up of CIL and messy approach to infrastructure funding will need to be addressed – (e.g. through strategic planning & investment frameworks) • More effective strategic planning ‘through the back door’

9. Back to effective strategic planning • No plans to scrap Duty to Cooperate • Continued emergence of (non-stat) strategic frameworks to deal with infrastructure, housing and economy – CWS&GB, PUSH, Surrey, Kent • Main drivers alignment of spatial and investment priorities / access to infrastructure funding • Strategic planning role for CAs yet to be defined but will happen by default • Non-stat strategic frameworks gaining credibility as ‘evidence’ supporting LPs • Possible 2-stage LP process as proposed by DCN/POS

10. Improving local plans and strategic planning (DCN, CCN, POS, LGA, RTPI) • Proposals aim to: • Facilitate more cross-boundary, strategic planning across functional economic areas/SHMAs • Incentivise plan-making and improve links between local growth and strategic infrastructure • Make plans shorter and easier to understand • Reduce risks and costs for developers, local and central government.

11. Improving local plans and strategic planning (DCN, CCN, POS, LGA, RTPI) • Local plan prepared in two parts with staged examination– Duty to Cooperate tested through first part • Clearer link between strategic spatial and investment priorities • Challenging issues like housing dealt with up front on shared basis so (in theory) will speed process up • Strategic geography defined on different basis e.g. SHMA, county • Duty to Cooperate not one of the final hurdles in plan making • Councils working together would be rewarded financially e.g. through growth funding • All councils will have to be involved in two-tier areas for this to work • Decision-making still done through voluntary governance structures which may impact on process and outcome!

12. The London ‘City Region’ • Unrealistic to assume 50k pa can be delivered in London • Needs to be mutual benefits for London and SE but will depend on proactive approach by SE authorities • Patterns of growth outside London likely to be influenced by strategic infrastructure– HS2, Crossrail 1 extension, Crossrail 2, Airport growth • 2016 - new Mayor, new vision, new plan • Growth in wider South East will happen – surely it’s better this was planned?

14. catrionariddell@btinternet.com Thank you!