Dr Ada Lee is the Policy Specialist for the RTPI, leading on the Institute’s work on infrastructure and climate change.
With the government’s ambitious goals on economic growth, housebuilding and nature recovery, there is an increasing expectation that our land delivers on multiple objectives. The government is currently working on the development of a Land Use Framework, which will provide guidance on how this multifunctionality can be achieved.
To aid this work, the Land Use Consultation was launched in January. The RTPI submitted its response today. In it, we pointed to the importance of placing communities at the heart of the Framework. Integration with the planning system, as well as keeping data up-to-date, will also be key to realise the Framework’s objectives
Serving communities’ needs
The Land Use Consultation has a strong focus on agriculture and food production. While food security is an important topic, there is a need to take a wider view of agriculture. It is important to recognise that the sector comprises communities living and working in various environments, with diverse needs.
Planning has an important role to play here, by ensuring that affordable housing is available, transport infrastructure is in place and amenities are accessible. It is only through this community-focused lens that we can unlock multifunctionality thinking. This will help us consider the many activities we are expecting our land to support.
To this end, land use policies should be connected to the wider policies on housing, nutrient neutrality, water and flooding. This will help decision makers mediate between competing objectives.
Integrating with the planning system
The Land Use Framework should have weight in planning. One way to achieve that is for the Framework to form part of the evidence base for future Spatial Development Strategies.
While this will secure vertical integration, horizontal integration will also be crucial. Alongside the Land Use Framework, the National Energy Systems Operator is developing the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan. The government has also committed to extending the strategic spatial planning approach to the infrastructure sector.
These are all very positive. However, to avoid confusion, there needs to be a coordination mechanism that sits above these various national-scale plans, so land use conflicts can be identified and mediated at an early stage. This can be achieved by the development of a National Spatial Framework, which the RTPI has long been calling for.
The role of data
The Land Use Framework will be supported by advanced land use data. In planning, data is often collected on a case-by-case basis, in non-standardised formats. This has limited our ability to form a bigger picture of land use, while also adding time and cost to development. Work undertaken by the MHCLG to improve data collection and access will help address these issues. But it is also key that efforts across government departments are linked up.
It is essential that data are kept up-to-date. As far as possible, the Land Use Framework should be a live document, with real-time data.
Final reflections
It is a busy time for planning, with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through parliament and further consultations on various reforms expected in the next few months. The Land Use Framework is an important piece of work amid all these. If done well, it will be an invaluable tool for planning. The RTPI looks forward to continuing working with government and wider stakeholders to bring this forward.
