MEDIATION IN PLANNING: CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Are you involved in dealing with a major development proposal, an AAP or an enforcement case which has hit a problem that might be resolved by an independent mediator?  If so, Leonora Rozee and Kay Powell would like to hear from you. 

The National Planning Forum for England - in association with the Planning Inspectorate, and supported by the RTPI - is scoping a project to demonstrate the value of mediation in planning before appeal or examination stage.  We are developing the project in consultation with CLG, the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council, British Property Federation, LGA, Planning Aid, RTPI, RICS, Law Society (Planning and Environment Committee), Planning and Environment Bar Association, Planning Officers’ Society, and Planning Advisory Service.    

There is no statutory, legal, definition of mediation.  Put simply it is a ‘family’ of techniques and a framework within which to resolve intractable issues.  It is a means of getting away from adversarial resolution of problems and moving towards consensus building.

We think that - appropriately used - mediation can be a very positive way of building trust and confidence, and leading to better outcomes.  However it can too often be seen (wrongly) as an admission of failure by an LPA or a developer.

We are aiming to arrange a small number of mediations to show their value and hope to be able to provide a small amount of funding for about 5 or 6 mediations during the next few months.  We also would like to find out why it is not used more widely - perhaps because its value has not been demonstrated (despite a number of studies including by Michael Welbank and others in 2000 and 2002); or because it is not widely known about; or because it’s thought that it can’t be afforded, or for some other reason.   

If you know of a project or issue in England that would benefit from mediation please e-mail:

Leonora Rozee on: ROZLEONO@aol.com or Kay Powell on secretary@natplanforum.org.uk

with your name, organisation and a brief outline of the case(s) and issue(s) before Friday 21st August.