Royal Town Planning Institute

The RTPI has written an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasising the potential value to the UK economy that could be lost without investments into planning, and outlined the importance of #planning to kickstart economic growth and address the UK's #housing crisis. FULL STATEMENT Victoria Hills MRTPI FICE FRSA MCMI CMgr said: “The Labour Party has made the UK's housing crisis a top priority during their campaign and has shown a strong understanding of the importance of planning. This change in government presents a unique opportunity for planners to demonstrate their value to the economy. “I have written to Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer to discuss how planning can be a part of the solution, rather than the problem. I’ve outlined clear steps his government can take to help implement planning reforms that will help to ‘Get Britain Building’ quickly. This includes fast progress to restore funding for planning services, kick-starting stalled local plans, and ensuring the involvement of strategic direction at a mayoral level from day one. "We enlisted the services of economic experts at Public First to demonstrate the economic impact of well-resourced, proactive planning. "Our letter outlines their findings, demonstrating how our profession has the potential to kickstart economic growth and generate over £70 billion in additional value over the next 10 years. "This would be achieved by stimulating local economic activity and creating well-planned communities where people can thrive. "We are at the beginning of Keir Starmer's first 100 days in government, and there is significant work ahead to address the key issues facing Britain today. Starmer's party has emphasised the need for swift action on planning reform and the revision of the national planning policy framework. They will need to collaborate with planners to achieve their ambitions." #rtpi #labour #economicgrowth

Following Rachel Reeves' first speech as Labour Chancellor, RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills emphasised the critical role of the planning system in driving the UK economy. A recent report by Public First, commissioned by the RTPI, revealed that investing in planning could unlock £70 billion in additional value for communities and the UK economy. She said: “The Chancellor has wasted no time in preparing plans that will have a positive impact on the planning profession and the UK’s economy. Her goals highlight the role of our planning system in boosting the UK economy, and mark a clear shift in the government’s understanding of what our system can provide. Our members should be under no illusion that this will put a focus on delivery across the planning system. “However, our members in local authorities are overworked and understaffed, and have faced years of severe strain. Economic success will therefore require proactive planning and an investment into our planning system.” 👉 On local plans and green belt: “It is promising to see the government begin its parliamentary term with policy changes keenly fought for by the RTPI, including universal coverage of local plans, and reviews of greenbelt boundaries. These changes will be essential for rebuilding trust and coordination in our planning system and for ensuring that new developments are done with local communities, rather than to them." 👉 On reforming the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF): "The minister outlined plans to reform the NPPF and restore mandatory housing targets. Our members have been clear that recent changes to the NPPF have left many councils, especially those with significant land constraints, with few incentives to deliver on existing housing targets. “Locally-determined housing targets that are well evidenced and aligned to a plan-led ‘vision’ can play a constructive role in planning for housing. However they must come with adequate investment in the infrastructure and planning services required to support them.” 👉 On onshore wind: “The minister has wasted no time in pushing forward reforms to the NPPF that the RTPI has long called for, including ending the ban on onshore wind and committing to consult on it’s return to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. 👉 On the appointment of Matthew Pennycook as Housing Minister: “We will now work closely with Mr Pennycook to support the government’s ambitions by unlocking the power of the planning system. Throughout his time in opposition, the minister demonstrated a clear understanding of the value of planning, playing a positive role during the Levelling Up and Regenerations Act’s passage through parliament, and championing many of the amendments supported by the RTPI.” #planning #housing #greenbelt

Online CPD - Giving Evidence at Public Inquiries Book now: https://lnkd.in/eKwcg5A8

To boost growth and speed up the planning system, we need more skilled planners in local councils. RTPI is supporting British Chambers of Commerce and Aviva to train 100+ extra planners but we need business to reach the £3m target. The government has pledged to match private sector donations, to pay the council salaries of the new planners for their two-year guaranteed commitment to an LPA. Can your business help? 👇 https://lnkd.in/e24y2wjb

“I was bursting with pride on Saturday; but not just for the PRIDE in London event, but also for the RTPI as it was prepared to march to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in a very public and supportive way." Matthew Winslow, an RTPI member and Assistant Director at Malden City Council shares his thoughts: https://lnkd.in/eadaNpGw #pride #prideparade #builtenvironment

What do the manifestos say about planning? With polling day tomorrow and planning at the heart of the public debate about the future of the UK, here's our assessment of the planning pledges in the main manifestos. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e64pAuvZ

"There is a better way that will make the planning system more efficient and transparent and fit for the 21st century. As articulated in the 2020 Planning for the Future white paper, the planning system needs to move “from a process based on documents to a process driven by data.” "This new approach is not about chasing the latest technological trends, such as virtual reality or artificial intelligence. It is about addressing the basics, so we can build solid foundations for more radical changes in the future." Learn more about how to harness the technology at your fingertips with Euan Mills https://lnkd.in/eYWA58MU #digitalplanning #data #technology

A great run-down of the RTPI-supported Women in Planning Conference taking place this week by our International Lead Béatrice Crabb 👇

Please join us for an evening of drinks and canapes as we celebrate 50 years of inspirational women. In 1974 the RTPI inaugurated Sylvia Law as the first female president - a landmark moment for the RTPI and the planning profession. The contributions of women have been invaluable to not only the RTPI but also, in the shaping of the planning profession. Guests will hear from Victoria Hills, Lindsey Richards and various inspirational women in planning. This is a complimentary members event, kindly supported by Howden. Spaces are limited so book your place now: https://lnkd.in/euakwqYA

Give places and their leaders the tools to grow - that's what we're calling on political parties to do. Local leaders necessarily have different levels of power to address growing inequalities in their communities and neighbourhoods. Our planning system can do more to connect and co-ordinate local leaders and government agency’s actions across housing and labour markets, transport and energy networks and ecosystems. Find out more in our #Planifesto: www.rtpi.org.uk/planifesto