Workshop report from RTPI's Planning Convention 2009.
Break out session 9: 3.50, Thursday 18 June
Speakers:
Fionnuala Lennon (Planning Manager, The Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS)) 
Rob Smith (Senior Planning Manager, ATLAS)

ATLAS took a light-hearted approach to the serious question of how Local Authorities can continue to deliver quality places whilst managing the challenges of the current economic climate.

‘Doctors on Call’ Lennon and Smith welcomed delegates to their ‘surgery waiting room’, and invited us to self-diagnose the symptoms of our Local Authority, or one with whom we are professionally engaged. How well are we coping with the downturn? Can we physically manage it? Is it causing us headaches, and are we feeling ‘bunged up’, with important projects stalling or becoming stuck in the system?

The picture was not all bleak, with many authorities reportedly managing the challenges. However others are feeling decidedly ‘bunged up’, with limited policies and procedures in place to alleviate the symptoms. Smith proposed some approaches to the challenges, noting first that prevention can be better than cure, and recommending that Local Authorities take care to, for example, ensure a robust evidence base and include economic viability as an important material consideration. Delegates were directed to Blyth Valley BC v Persimmon Homes as a lesson in ensuring viability for affordable housing through a robust evidence base.

Prevention can also take the form of strategic site allocations, with ATLAS offering guidance to Local Authorities on how this can be achieved – the message here being that the sooner ATLAS is invited to become involved, the more assistance they can offer and the greater impact they can have.

Where issues are already underway, ATLAS suggested ‘therapeutic measures’ to alleviate symptoms. Early acknowledgement of symptoms is key, and Local Authorities were urged to investigate the impact of the downturn in their local area, as well as creating positive means of sharing knowledge and experiences – including buy-in from elected members, whom Planning Officers may be inviting to consider renegotiation of previous agreements. The importance of skills to combat the recession was also indicated, with Authorities encouraged to conduct an audit of their skills and address any gaps through training and partnership working, with organisations such as ATLAS.

ATLAS suggested potential ‘treatments’ such as greater use of planning conditions, renegotiation and scale-back of obligations, and deferred or renegotiated Section 106 payments. Local Authority planners were directed back to Circular 05/05 to revisit recommended tests for obligations, and the approach of Ashford BC was commended as a possible example to follow.

Some lively debate in the breakout sessions showed that some authorities are experiencing problems, but that the prognosis is not altogether bleak, with other authorities taking very positive approaches. While it was agreed that there are no easy solutions, working in partnership can ensure that all sides are fully committed to a development. Visions for places should be maintained; while processes and procedures are important for delivery, planners are urged not to lose sight of planning outcomes, and to maintain their vision for places and communities.

Author:

Kate Webster

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

29-Jun-09

Sections:

News & Media

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