The Future of Planning: A Return to Localism?

Date: 01/03/2010

Speakers:

Bob Neill MP Shadow Minister Local Government and Planning

Mark Tewdwr-Jones Professor of Spatial Planning and Governance University College London

Paul Rogerson CBE Chief Executive Leeds City Council and Chief Officer Leeds City Region Leaders' Board

Dermot Finch Chief Executive Centre for Cities

Chairman: Steven Norris Board Member Transport for London (TfL), Board Member London Development Agency (LDA)

The Conservative Party has outlined significant changes to planning policy in the UK, pledging to abolish the new Infrastructure Planning Commission, transferring its function to the Planning Inspectorate and having the National Policy Statements ratified in parliament. At the regional level the Regional Development Agencies look set to potentially be abolished.

The Conservatives want to return the decision making process to local communities with plans to increasingly ‘front-load' the Local Development Framework (LDF) process, with better consultation to develop a clearer community vision for a locality. Community Infrastructure Levy may be abolished in favour of reformed Section 106 arrangements.

The policy debate raises many questions about the future of planning and the kind of planning system the country needs. What is the most effective and democratic means of assessing major infrastructure projects? What is the most appropriate governance level for strategic planning and the funding of infrastructure? And how can local people become more engaged in the planning process at the policy development stage? 

See the Waterfront Conference's website for more information.