Whilst I am equally frustrated with the time that it takes for LPA's to produce core strategies and Allocation DPDs I take great exception to the views expressed by Geoffrey Prince (A fellow member of the RTPI?) which implies that planners in the public sector have an easy life compared with those in the private sector. I and many of my colleagues work equally long hours and ensure that offices are manned at all times including Friday afternoons. I for one have access to my works e-mails from home and can be contacted outside normal office hours. If those in the private sector still regard those in the public sector with disdain how on earth are we meant to fully embrace the principles of Development Management which requires collaborative working? If we are to make real progress then those in the private sector need to start working with local authorities to secure positive outcomes rather than making cheap and facile comments which serve no purpose other than to perpetuate the distrust that exists and which only acts as barrier to making real progress and delivering positive outcomes which benefit the community.

As for not understanding the development industry my authority for one has made great strides in this area and is beginning to understanding what factors make or break or scheme. However until those in the development industrial operate a more open book policy then we will continue to struggle to appreciate whether our demands for good quality and sustainable development affects the viability of a scheme.

Richard Summers, please make it clear that you do NOT represent the views of all members. I for one hope that the budget proposals do exactly what they say on the tin. Why are you so frightened of potential change? The shambles that we call "planning" at the moment is going nowhere fast, we have to get away from the ridiculous "no you cannot" culture to "yes we can" as soon as possible. We don't all work in local government...
John Peecock

But do you want development at any price ?? Its not planners that are the problem its the system thats been messed about by politicians who don't know what they are doing.Now we have more of it. Its politicians who bring in the guidance,legislation,the processes and we have to work with it.Its about time the Institute stood and be counted.The lack of growth has nothing to do with planning, its the lack of finance for businesses and home buyers,job insecurity and the rising cost of living. I do not see a great rush of applications for development. Planners are just an easy target as they have been for succesive governments

As ever, the RTPI is only representing some of its Members' interests! How about those of us who see development as (shock, horror) a good thing?

I agree with you Mr Prince more than with our President - end of RTPI career there then.
Since leaving the LPA I have daily learned of the need for all planners to spend some time in the private sector to see how the system really operates.

Disagree!
Is it not surprising that the government has reacted in the way that it has - and about time too!!
1. Most local authorities are totally incompetent at producing LDF Core Strategies and Allocation DPDs - most use every excuse in the book to delay /restart the process- the private sector has just about given up and is totally frustrated by the lack of local leadership with the development agenda controlled by the NIMBIES - our children will soon be back to living in trees and caves.
2. When LPAs do produce plans, strategies and allocations most fail to take account of the commercial sector who have to take the financial risks - most local authorities think that developers are loaded and are there to rip them off (they should spend time in the private sector to truly appreciate the risks, hoops gone through and commitment required to take a development scheme through from the concept stage to completion, marketing and sales!); in putting forward strategies they (LPAs) put forward ideas which are contrary to the market - usually not going for sites where developers want to develop (ie where land values are higher - why? because that is where people want to live and work - and then expecting developers to make huge S106 and other contributions which grossly undermine viability. Let's stop social engineering and give greater weight to the market;
3. It is time the RTPI and many of its members joined the real world and those in local authorities stopped working short weeks (when can you contact a Planning Officer on a Friday afternoon!) - we in the private sector carry mobiles with us/pick up emails at home -- we respond to our clients on a 24/7 basis.
4. I do support good sustainable design solutions but we spend most of our time fighting for the principle of development rather than focussing our energies on high quality solutions.
5. It's time for a partnership approach - developers, consultants, planning officers and members working together to find solutions.
6 The RTPI members have over time contributed much to shaping the physical environment but in recent years many in the public sector have become slaves of members, a constraining force on development and weak. Their best achievements appears to be in Conservation Areas and dealing with issues in historic towns but most development activity will take place outside these areas.