RTPI issues planning bill warning » Communities » 24dash.com

WE MUST NOT BECOME A NATION LACKING IN CONSULTATION

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) believes the Government must develop clear national policy on major infrastructure projects if it is to remove them from local planning authority control. Crucially this policy must include statements outlining how the nation will be consulted on issues such as new power plants, airport expansion and transport. There should be no national policy without national involvement.

Since Tony Blair let slip his Government was going to introduce a new planning bill there has been much speculation as to what might be contained in the Queen’s speech, due our tomorrow, Wednesday 15 November. A bill might include a new way to plan for major infrastructure projects. If such decisions are to be removed from local planning authorities and given to an independent committee, Government must address the democratic deficit.

RTPI Director of Policy and Research, Kelvin MacDonald said: “The length of major inquiries in the past has usually been the direct result of a lack of clarity of Government policy and not community involvement.. What the public and decision makers need is a strategic spatial understanding of how it all fits together and a clear method of public inclusion in the debate about national priorities.”

The RTPI looks forward to further Government action on climate change, including the possible inclusion of a supplement to PPS 1, showing how the planning system can take further action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The RTPI supports the Town and Country Planning Association and Friends of the Earth’s mock PPS 26 but believes a more integrated policy approach would be a significant benefit.

Fundamental to the planning process is the introduction of a bill on local government reorganisation as set out in the Local Government White Paper, ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’. A forward thinking piece of legislation would provide a framework for planning departments to work more closely with communities and providers on issues such as health, education and safety – spatial planning in practice.

Integrating Local Planning Authorities with Local Strategic Partnerships allows for more cohesion between regional and local planning policies and sustainable community strategies. This can only be a positive move however it will require a continued and accelerated culture change on both sides and within local government to enable the creation of better and more sustainable neighbourhoods.

Ends

Press release issued: November 14 2006