PRESS RELEASE

 

Friday 18th March 2007

 

 

‘OFPLAN’ IDEA OFFERS NEW ROUTE TO PLANNING REFORM

 

The policy framework needed to deliver low-carbon communities is now in place and inaction is no longer an option, the Town and Country Planning Association said today submitting its response to the draft supplement to PPS1 on climate change.

 

Radical proposals to set up a new independent Office of Planning (Ofplan) to strengthen planning were published today by the TCPA. In the run up to publication of a White Paper on planning the pamphlet promotes an alternative to suggestions that unelected commissioners should decide major projects, such as nuclear power stations

 

‘Regulating Planning – Ofplan’ would, for the first time, join-up the different parts of planning control with building regulations, design and eco-towns. It would put the entire planning system on a similar footing to other regulated services (such as Ofwat and Ofgem).

 

Authors of the report, Paul Hackett, a former special adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and David Lock CBE, chairman of the TCPA, conclude that:

 

“Ofplan would connect land use planning with the wider ‘place-making’ agenda and would offer Ministers a chance to renew the planning system in a way that would carry forward the spirit of positive planning, sixty years on from the milestone 1947 planning act.”

 

Local planning would remain with local authorities and Ministers would continue to be accountable for major planning decisions and planning policy, but responsibility for operating the system would fall to Ofplan and the Planning Commissioner – who would report to Government and Parliament.

 

Rather than further ad hoc changes, such as the recent proposals for a new Independent Planning Commission to decide major applications, the creation of Ofplan would enable planning to be fully streamlined and integrated. It would bring much needed stability, efficiency and greater expertise to planning. Ofplan would also provide planning with the corporate clout, critical mass of knowledge and experience, and the assembly of functions necessary to support sustainable development.

 

The pamphlet represents the views of the authors but the TCPA has sent it to Ministers for consideration as Government develops a promised White Paper on planning. The TCPA believes Government should make long term plans for sustainable transport and energy projects and strongly supports the Barker recommendation for national policy statements, but the Association is concerned about current proposals to take Ministers out of the final decision.

 

Gideon Amos, Chief Executive of the TCPA, said:

“To take major planning decisions away from Ministers and give them to unelected technocrats risks decoupling the electorate from major issues about the future of this country. The Ofplan idea provides a much needed alternative and a more practical way of modernising the system.”

The pamphlet is published today in the March edition of the journal Town & Country Planning as part of the Tomorrow Series. Copies of the journal / membership can be ordered at: http://www.tcpa.org.uk ENDS.

 

Notes to Editors

 

  1. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent campaigning charity calling for more integrated planning based on the principles of accessibility, sustainability, diversity, and community cohesion. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of the debate about planning policy, housing and energy supply. We inspire government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues including climate change and regeneration.
  2. http://www.tcpa.org.uk Free copies of “Regulating Planning - Ofplan” are available to members of the press/media representatives, call Fiona Mannion 0207 930 8903.
  3. The independent Barker Review of Land Use Planning (December 2006) is available at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/barker_review_land_use_planning/barkerreview_land_use_planning_index.cfm and the independent Eddington Transport Study (December 2006) is available at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/eddington_transport_study/eddington_index.cfm both studies recommend that an ‘Independent Planning Commission’ should take decisions instead of Ministers on the granting of planning permission for major infrastructure projects.
  4. Paul Hackett was special advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister until 2005 and now advises the TCPA and Price Waterhouse Coopers on development issues. Prof David Lock CBE was recently honoured for his services to urban design and town and country planning, is Managing Director of architectural and planning practice David Lock Associates, holds a chair at the University of Reading and serves as Chairman of the TCPA.

§         Draft ‘planning and climate change Planning Policy Statement: supplement to PPS1 – consultation’

§         ‘Code for sustainable homes: a step-change in sustainable building practice’

§         Building a greener future: towards zero carbon development – consultation’

§         Other measures, including ‘Mandating Water Efficiency in New Buildings’ – consultation

 

 

Media contact:

Paul Hackett - Mobile 07908 226481

For press copies of “Regulating Planning – Ofplan”:
Fiona Mannion, TCPA, 020 7930 8903