The RTPI has stated the importance of planning in a fast-paced, changing world in areas such as climate change, communities and nations
RTPI has made suggestions for the next government to realise the importance of planning from neighbourhoods to nations.
The importance of planning for the environment and climate change
As the UK plans to leave the EU, it is vital to continue leading the way on environmental and climate action. Planning systems and policies are needed to deliver net zero carbon targets locally and nationally.
RTPI has called on the next government to:
- Ensure local planning authorities have the necessary resources and are trained to deliver carbon net-zero development and transport
- Ensure world-leading legislation is in place to support the highest environmental standards
- Protect the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and support devolved nations to achieve their net-zero targets
The importance of planning with communities at neighbourhood level
Local and neighbourhood plans along with the planners to deliver them, are critical for successful, sustainable places. More quality housing connected to infrastructure and amenities is needed, however local authority planning teams have seen a reduction of 42% in funding since 2009/10.
RTPI has suggested the next government should:
- Give local areas the opportunity to decide how they can best support the resourcing of their planning function through setting planning fees.
- Resist further amendments to the planning system that cause extra burden to under-resourced local authorities and risk putting vital investment on further hold. Instead, they should support local authorities to fully utilise existing planning legislation to work in partnership with others to bring land into best use for their local communities (building on the success of Homes England)
The importance of planning with the wider area to benefit local communities
Strategic planning at the city-region level using devolved powers is needed to enable quality design, integrated development and environmental sustainability.
RTPI has called on the next government to:
- Protect and grow devolved powers to city regions and extend to other areas
- Remove barriers to city-regional spatial strategies for development and infrastructure
- Remove legal barriers to allow city regions to fully use their devolved planning powers
The importance of planning by Nations to benefit communities
Nations governments and administrations are best placed to legislate and enact their own planning systems. RTPI has suggested the next government should recognise this and ensure that devolved administrations are best placed to plan for their respective nations.
The importance of resourcing Planning Authorities to benefit the community
In order for planners to deliver nations net zero carbon targets and infrastructure to create sustainable, successful urban and rural places, RTPI have suggested the next government should:
- Ensure resources, proportionate to the scale of the national challenge, is in place to enable local planning authorities to deliver for communities
- Continue to attract a diverse and intellectual array of talent from apprenticeships and planning schools to supply the urgent need of planners
