The Raynsford Review of Planning has been set up to identify how the Government can reform the English planning system to make it fairer, better resourced and capable of producing quality outcomes, while still encouraging the production of new homes.

It will be informed by a task force chaired by former planning minister Nick Raynsford and will include politicians, housing providers, developers, consultants, academics and the public.

Evidence will be collected over an 18-month period (beginning in late June 2017) and formally presented at all major party conferences in autumn 2018.

Aims

England is still becoming acquainted with a heavily deregulated planning system. Since 2010, when planning legislation was first relaxed to accommodate housing growth, there have been complaints from both the private and public sector that the system is unsustainable.

The Raynsford Review seeks to provide practical and comprehensive policy guidance to overcome these issues in a way that is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders.

We have set three aims for the project:

  • Engage constructively with politicians and council officers, communities, housing providers, developers, consultants and academics—all those interested in the built environment—about how we can deliver better placemaking through a fairer and more effective planning system.
  • Set out a positive agenda following the outcomes of the general election and planning hiatus.
  • Set out a new vision for planning in England and rebuild trust in the planning process by communicating with the public as well as professionals.

The review task force

Our core task force is made up of academics, politicians, policy makers and consultants. These ten members will work with us throughout the review to represent the values of stakeholder groups and ensure that the process remains focused and independent. 

Get involved 

The task force is keen to hear from a broad range of professionals, public agencies, interest groups and members of the general public. You can respond in the following ways:

  • If you are a professional, submit evidence as text to the call for evidence (maximum 1,500 words per theme).
  • If you are a member of the general public, complete a short survey of public attitudes to planning here. 
  • Send a three-minute ‘soapbox’ video on your experiences and insight. 

You can also join our of our Raynsford Review engagement events although, as we don't have the resources to record all discussions, we ask that you also submit evidence in one of the above formats. See our event listings below and register for updates on future events.

For more details on how to submit to the call for evidence, click here. Please ensure you respond by the deadline of 31 October 2017.

Upcoming events

The following is a list of review events taking place throughout the country:

Review event: London, 30 August, Town and Country Planning Association (NOTE THERE IS NOW A WAITING LIST FOR THIS EVENT)

Review event: Birmingham, 21 September, Birmingham City Council, 10:30-12:30

If you would like to attend an event, please email raynsfordreview@tcpa.org.uk with your name, job title (if any), venue location and any relevant organisations you belong to. If a space is available, we will respond with full details of the event.

We will also be holding review events in Birmingham, Sheffield and Liverpool, but we are not able to provide further details at this stage. If you would like to be notified once bookings are available, please enter your details below.

Review research outputs

To register for updates, please submit your details below.