Myth number 4: planning is a drag on economic growth

Background to the myth

Current political debate has labelled the planning process as an barrier to economic growth. The Prime Minster has been quoted as describing planners as "enemies of enterprise" criticising "The town hall officials who take forever with those planning decisions that can be make or break for a business - and the investment and jobs that go with it." Similarly the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has said "We'll cut drag anchor planning system down to size."

Evidence base

However rather than act as a barrier, the planning system can positively contribute to the Government's long-term plan for sustainable economic growth in the UK.   

• In its response to the "enemies of enterprise" speech, The Planning Officers Society pointed out that the time to process applications has fallen over the past ten years and the number of applications approved has stayed around 85% over that time (according to DCLG statistics).
• The President of the RTPI has also responded to the Government's claims. The President has highlighted planners as being central to economic recovery.
• There are many examples of planning contributing to economic growth in practice, such as the Aire Valley Enterprise Zone in Leeds. This is an area of economic underperformance, where the planning process is key to re-establishing the area as the economic heart of the City (e.g. through infrastructure provision).  

Our view

Planning is about balancing economic, social and environmental objectives. The RTPI believes that "The UK planning system has a long and respected tradition of helping to shape the places where people live and work within the context of wider economic, social and environmental objectives. It is often seen by users as a seemingly bureaucratic control mechanism that permits or refuses permission for development, rather than society's essential tool for making successful and enjoyable places that provide a high quality of life, economic growth and environmental protection" (RTPI Manifesto: Shaping the Future).

The President of the RTPI has further stated that: "Planners are not the enemies of enterprise. They are not the Town Hall bureaucrats who obstruct economic growth. On the contrary, they provide policies that are integrated across areas to promote both growth and regeneration. They provide land allocations to enable commercial and industrial uses to be developed where they are needed. They also provide a basis for co-ordinating delivery to make sure that things happen."