The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is proposing a “route map” to help local authorities to more clearly navigate housing targets
The route map for navigating housing targets include outlining where and how each local authority fits in with the government’s directions.
The proposal comes after RTPI and County Council Network warned the Government about the effects housing targets would have on some local authorities last month.
The route map for navigating housing targets would make things more clear
The intent of the proposed map is to allow local authorities to take advantage of strategic plans and continue to make local plans while strategic plans are introduced.
This would help to deliver on housing targets as well as make the transition to a country-wide strategic planning system less difficult.
Local planning in many authorities has slowed or stopped due to these issues, with concerns that the large housing targets for each community is too large for the current infrastructure to handle.
A route map for navigating housing targets would include:
The route map should include the key aspects that local authorities and other public sector bodies need to know about their role in this transition period and how it will impact them at different times, including:
A timeline with key milestones and actions from now until new legislation for strategic planning is introduced.
Clarification on the future boundaries for new strategic plans and the bodies responsible for implementing them.
Details of the financial and professional support that Local Planning Authorities and strategic planning bodies can expect from the government.
England-wide strategic planning “key to success”
Simon Creer, communications director at the RTPI, said: “The key to success for the government’s new national planning policy will be England-wide strategic planning. However, we will face a period of uncertainty as local planning authorities struggle to understand their role in the government’s plans. We are already seeing this happen.
“Without clear, widely shared guidance, local authorities risk being stuck in a period of uncertainty. Our route map offers measures that can provide them with the confidence they need to continue making crucial planning decisions.”
Daniel Slade, head of practice and research at the RTPI, said: “While we fully support the move toward strategic planning across England, it’s clear that the transition between the proposed national planning policy reforms and the introduction of England-wide strategic planning would come with its own challenges.
“These need to be clearly identified and actively managed by the government during the transition. Our analysis suggests that the Ministry must take steps to ensure housing delivery and local plan production continue smoothly in the interim, while aiming to implement strategic plans as quickly as possible.”
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