Hasty abolition of regional planning could threaten economic recovery, warns RTPI

Summary abolition of major parts of the planning system without a viable alternative in place could threaten the country’s economic recovery, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has warned.

The Institute said it was particularly concerned that the government’s proposals to abolish regional planning – contained in the proposed Decentralisation and Localism Bill – are based mainly on an objection to imposed regional housing targets rather than to the principle of strategic planning.

The RTPI added that it “strongly advocates” the need for strategic-level planning that co-ordinates development and infrastructure between different areas, provides a wide range of environmental policies, and ensures that the needs of the wider than local community are properly addressed.

RTPI President Ann Skippers said: “Moves towards giving local communities more powers are welcome; but we feel that there is a real danger in hastily abolishing regional planning.

“It is important that the government realises that strategic planning did not begin in 1997, but has been a vital part of our system for over half a century, with areas like the West Midlands benefitting since 1955. It is vital to have a level of strategic planning between local councils and national government to ensure proper co-ordination across council boundaries.”

Skippers warned that the abolition of regional planning could leave a policy vacuum when it comes to the major investment decisions required to take the country out of recession.

She added that it was “absolutely vital” that councils are properly resourced to meet any extra responsibilities they are given under a localism agenda.