Effective Practice in Spatial Planning (EPiSP)

05-Jan-07

Strongly influenced by the RTPI’s New Vision for Planning, with its emphasis on the principles and practice of spatial planning, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 has introduced fundamental changes to the planning system in England and Wales. Hopes are high that the new system will lead to fundamental changes to the way that the country plans and manages development to make places that work better for everyone who lives, works or visits them.

But, two years after its enactment, to what extent are the objectives of the 2004 Act, the introduction of spatial planning and the culture change required to deliver it, being achieved in practice? These are questions RTPI’s Effective Practice in Spatial Planning Project (EPiSP) has been investigating. Its main report - Shaping and Delivering Tomorrow's Places - was launched on 23 May 2007 and can be downloaded below.

The Project

EPiSP was undertaken by a team from University College London and Deloittes under the leadership of Professor Janice Morphet. The project was managed by the RTPI with its partners in Communities and Local Government, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Greater London Assembly.

The project sought to establish how spatial planning is being interpreted by planners working on the first generation of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks. The study team was asked to provide recommendations on best practice, and what more should be done by to facilitate it.

The research phase of EPiSP began in April 2006.

EPiSP's Approach

The research team worked with a very wide range of practitioners involved in implementing all aspects of the new system. The research for the project was undertaken against a very rapidly developing policy background. To ensure that it reflected these developments the team has met key players who are influencing this area. These contacts include officers in CLG, managers in the Planning Inspectorate, the Planning Advisory Service, and the Lyons Inquiry.

Primary evidence came from two rounds of research with key officers from each of five local authorities – Sheffield, Tower Hamlets, Ashford, Tonbridge and Malling, and Middlesborough - and two regional planning boards – the South East and the West Midlands.

The project's report identifies 22 case studies from these sessions which are seen to provide good examples of spatial practice thanks to well-developed joint working between public, private and voluntary sector partners.

EPiSP’s Outputs

An initial Summary of findings was disseminated at the joint RTPI DCLG conference on the Planning White Paper held on 29 January 2007. This was used to influence the shape of the White Paper.

The final report of the research phase - Shaping and Delivering Tomorrow's Places: Effective Practice in Spatial Planning - can be downloaded from the web link below. It is also available from the RTPI on cd.

The report contains:

an understanding, which is still evolving, of what spatial planning means
identification of the essential elements that make spatial planning effective
identification of they major barriers to more successful spatial planning
over 50 recommendations to Central and Local Government, the RTPI and others for promoting more effective spatial planning
a detailed description of 22 case studies identifying key elements of good spatial planning.

The challenge for the RTPI and its partners now is to disseminate the main messages of the report and to pursue its recommendations. The RTPI's Planners in the Workplace initiative has produced a guide to help planners learn more about the key skills needed to facilitate best practice.