Planning Policy

20-Feb-11

Planning policy helps to set out a vision at national, regional and local levels for shaping the places where people live, work and spend their leisure time, within the wider context of economic, social and environmental objectives.

latest news

Policy changes and consultations

Royal Assent for the Localism Act was announced on 15 November 2011. It is intended to shift power from central government into the hands of individuals, communities and councils. The RTPI has been extremely active in responding to the Localism Bill and associated proposals from Government.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) proposes to consolidate policy statements, circulars and guidance documents into a single consolidated framework. The RTPI responded to the NPPF consultation: high level points and response to questionnaire.
A Practitioner Advisory Group produced a 'suggested draft’ of the NPPF in May 2011.
Read the RTP’s response to consultation on: Local Planning Regulations.

Practice

The Aylesbury Estate Area Action Plan by the London Borough of Southwark was commended in the Spatial Strategies category at the 2010 RTPI Planning Awards, and is a good example of the use of the AAP process to provide a long term plan for the redevelopment of a neighbourhood.
The latest good practice planning policy exemplars are available.

Networks

The RTPI Development Planning Network is a virtual community of planning professionals with an interest or involvement in development planning. Join the Network.

RTPI Projects and research

Check back soon for details of new and emerging planning projects.

Our viewpoint

We support forward planning and a plan led system. Forward planning is about mapping a future vision for a local area and allows planning decisions to be made on a rational basis in the public interest. Policies and proposals within a plan should be driven by community aspirations and a robust assessment of the evidence of need for development and the need to safeguard important assets. Many important aspects of social, economic and environmental policy have little variation between local areas and so it is right that some policies and standards should be set at a national or sub-national level. National policy also has a role in setting out national aspirations and commitments for such issues as housing, employment or waste recycling.

MORE INFORmation/events/cpd

Preparing for Public Inquiries, 17 April 2012, Manchester.
View our events calendar for upcoming RTPI events.
Get involved: email policy@rtpi.org.uk.