We are delighted that you have visited our Network homepage to find out more about the Joint Network that plays an important part in developing policy, knowledge and good practice for the two Institutes. To the left there are links to related pages, including ones addressing the distinct planning for housing issues in Scotland and Wales and also a link to take if you wish to join the Network.
Recent Member Events
A February event looked at the Centre for Cities' publication Cities Outlook 2013. Their special focus this year has been on housing as a catalyst for economic growth. A more place-based approach is needed they suggest: by adapting housing policy to the needs of individual cities, the UK economy as a whole can benefit.
Taylor Review of Planning Practice Guidance
On 29 January Network members were invited to meet with Trudi Elliott CBE, member of the Review Group in a personal capacity (but Chief Executive of the RTPI in her day job) to discuss the Review recommendations and how the RTPI & CIH might respond. Her presentation can be seen here.
If you would like to make a suggestion or an offer to host an event in 2013 please email housing@rtpi.org.uk.
Debate
Members of the Network have been participating in an exchange about what might be a current definition of Affordable Housing. You can see the considerations being proferred and the points in dispute on this new webpage.
Tools
The RTPI & CIH are amongst a wide group of bodies that has launched in England "What Households Where?" that, at a click of a button and free of charge, lets anyone find out how their area has grown to what it is today and what the official projections say about how it might develop in the future.
Briefings
RTPI Briefings are now available on:
Briefing #1 Montague Report
Briefing #2 Affordable housing and Section 106 Agreements
Briefing #3 Permitted Development, Building Regulations & Planning Costs
Briefing #4 Green belts
The Local Housing Delivery Group, under Sir John Harman as Chair, published its advice in 2012. There are two reports, one covering Local Plan viability assessments and the other an interim report on simplifying housing standards. An RTPI Member Briefing is available here.
Please see here for the Network Member Bulletin on the Government's England Housing Strategy, Laying the Foundations, published in November 2011.
Recent member events
'Housing delivery in a time of localism & austerity?' was the subject of a November Network debate examining the delivery of the right amount of housing in the right places. It was hosted by the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham. The opening presentations at the event were from
Martin Willey and
James Derounian.
'Council Housing for the 21st Century'
was the subject of an earlier 2012 event. Hosted by Birmingham City Council and EC Harris LLP, Built Asset Consultancy, in Birmingham, attendees had the opportunity both to examine the way in which new, mixed-tenure housing is being delivered via the
Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust and also see the product on the ground (see photo above). The presentation made at the event is
available to view here.
Photos: recent study tours for members to the new 'urban village' of Lightmoor in Telford (see picture right courtesy of member Angela Banks) and to Park Hill in Sheffield (photo below by Stewart Currie).
Ways of getting involved
As a club of active members, we rely on their voluntary input. We arrange member events - which may be from suggestions or offers from members - since seeing real examples on the ground or discussing initiatives around the same table as the initiators can all help to inform and develop good practice.
We also encourage members to submit information for inclusion in our email bulletin and the website, to host small member events, and to promote dialogue and discussion. Items for the bulletin might include news and information on research projects, events and good practice, or requests for information from other members to help you in your work.
How can we help?
If you have comments or thoughts on suitable Network activities or events for 2013 then please contact housing@rtpi.org.uk
Rural housing interest group
A new Interest Group on Rural Housing is beginning to build up web content on the topic. This specialist content is held in the Members' Area - see headings to the left. If you too have an interest in planning for rural housing and would like to get involved in the activities of the Interest Group - and receive briefings on matters of relevance and significance - please follow the link or email the Network Manager: housing@rtpi.org.uk
Urban Design Network case studies
The RTPI Urban Design Network has with the help of its members been collating exemplar residential developments where the demands of density and of creating successful settlements have been brought together well and recognised with Awards or other commendations. The Network continues to widen the range of examples but the present set of Case Studies can be viewed via this link.
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