Planning and Infrastructure Bill
New clause briefing: Purpose of Planning
RTPI proposal – a new clause outlining the Purpose of Planning in England: The planning system is driven by a complex and inter-related network of elected members, planners, expert specialists, developers and most importantly, the communities they serve. In order to drive collaborative behaviour and a shared vision across stakeholders, a clear definition of what the “purpose of planning” is and what we aim to achieve is needed.
Rationale
Define an ambitious purpose to positively shape the future.
- The RTPI advocates that a Purpose of Planning in England be to manage the use and development of land in the long-term public interest. The purpose should recognise that planning has a role in:
a)addressing the long-term common good and wellbeing of current and future generations,
b)having full regard to the achievement of the commitments under the under the Climate Change Act 2008 or the Environment Act 2021
c)according with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and
d) delivering fair planning processes that are open, accessible and efficient.
Embed the needs of communities throughout the planning system.
- Whilst protecting the long-term public interest should be a universal value underpinning our planning system, the RTPI recognises that delivering public good can only be achieved through understanding local circumstance. This includes understanding differing geographies, be it rural or urban, and having a culturally and socio-economically sensitive approach.
- There is a need to improve public engagement of the planning system. A Purpose of Planning would help to frame a positive and pro-active conversation with local communities – they are the local experts, and planning is in their service.
- With the Purpose of Planning identified and recognised as being in the long-term public interest, MPs can be better assured that actions taken within the planning system are in the best interest of their constituents.
- The Bill has the potential to shape a generation’s perception and interest in the planning system and civic participation more broadly. By demonstrating to young people the positive and pro-active nature of the planning system, we can inspire a future pipeline of planners into a life-long career, managing the key societal challenges of our era.
Build a consistent planning system with a shared vision.
- Regardless of whether a planning application is dealt through a Planning Committee or delegated to a planning officer, a “purpose” would provide an overarching vision, promoting consistency in decision-making.
- England is currently an outlier in having no “Purpose of Planning” outlined in our planning legislation. Across the devolved nations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and worldwide in nations such as Australia and Canada, a purpose of planning has been successfully adopted.
Proposed wording of new clause
To move the following Clause -
“Exercise of planning functions to be compatible with the purpose of Planning
(1)Any person or body exercising a planning function must do so in a manner that is compatible with the purpose of Planning set out in subsection (2).
(2)The purpose of Planning is to manage the development and use of land in the long-term public interest.
(3) In particular anything which—
a) addresses the long-term common good and wellbeing of current and future generations,
b) has full regard to the achievement of the commitments in and under the Climate Change Act 2008, or the Environment Act 2021,
c) is in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, or
d) delivers planning processes that are open, accessible, fair and efficient, is to be considered as being in the long-term public interest.
(4) In this section, a planning function means any statutory power or duty relating to the use or development of land in England.”
Member’s explanatory statement:
This new clause introduces for England the concept of the purpose of Planning and provides that anyone exercising a planning function must do so in a manner that is compatible with the purpose of Planning.
Contact:
The Royal Town Planning Institute champions the art and science of planning, working for the long-term common good and wellbeing of current and future generations and representing over 27,000 members across both public and private sectors.
The Bill presents an opportunity to deliver positive change for your constituents, therefore the RTPI urges MPs to seize the opportunity to support and enhance this legislation by tabling our proposed amendments at Committee stage. These include:
- Mandatory requirement for the provision of hybrid and online planning committees
- Statutory Chief Planning Officers
- The inclusion of a purpose of planning in the Bill
- Provisions for a National Spatial Framework
The RTPI is happy to support MPs and their offices throughout the passage of the Bill. If you would like to discuss any of the above or arrange a briefing on planning reform, please get in touch [email protected]
We also encourage Parliamentarians and their staff to visit our Planning Reform 2025 Hub, the home of all the RTPI’s planning reform related parliamentary briefings, commentary, blogs and consultation responses.