Barker Review of Land Use Planning

14-Mar-07

In December 2005, the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister commissioned an independent review of the 'land use planning system' in England.  The review was chaired by Kate Barker, a member of the monetary policy committee of the Bank of England and author of a previous examination of housing.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference were in summary to assess:

  • ways of improving the efficiency and speed of the planning system;
  • ways of increasing the flexibility, transparency and predictability that enterprise requires;
  • the relationship between planning and productivity; and
  • the relationship between economic and other sustainable development goals in delivering sustainable communities.

Evidence

There was a call for evidence in January 2006. The RTPI responded in a number of ways:

  • a formal submission of evidence was drafted;
  • participating in a 'planning professionals seminar; and
  • attending one to one meetings with the review team.

Kate Barker's initial response was presented in an interim report in July 2006, which was followed by additional dialogue between the RTPI and the review team.

Final Report

Kate Barker's final report and recommendations were issued in December 2006.

A response to the final report was prepared for RTPI Executive Board and has formed the basis for all ongoing communication with CLG and the Treasury.

Outputs from the Barker report were then used by government to develop the Planning White Paper in spring 2007 alongside:

  • outputs from the Eddington report into transport; and
  • outputs from the Treasury review of infrastructure for housing growth.

All RTPI responses to the Barker report have been coordinated with our activities on the Planning White Paper. 

 

 
Author:
Rynd Smith
Publisher:
The Royal Town Planning Institute
Date:
14-Mar-07
Categories:
Policy, Practice 
Sections:
What Planning Does

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