The Raysnford 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 Taskforce

Our core Taskforce 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. Further details of the Taskforce members will be published with the Call for Evidence. 

Get Involved

A formal Call for Evidence will be published on the 28 June during the TCPA's AGM. We will be holding a series of engagement events over the next few months and having conversations directly with relevant organisations to grow our evidence base and ensure we have a well-rounded document to present to Government.

The first public event will be:

  • 11 July, 10:00 to 11:30am, York Priory, 15 Priory St, York YO1 6ET with Dr Hugh Ellis for an introduction and discussion on the Call for Evidence. Register by emailing Raynsfordreview@tcpa.org.uk with your name, job title and organisation. 

Anyone is welcome to join our events, regardless of their profession or prior knowledge of the planning sector. If you would like to register your interest and be contacted about future events, please submit your details below or email us directly: Raynsfordreview@tcpa.org.uk