RTPI questions council planning resources

The North West’s Royal Town Planning Institute will launch a report next month revealing research into the resourcing problems of local planning authorities, and whether this impacts on regional growth and development.

Arup was commissioned by the RTPI earlier this year to conduct the research.

The report includes a literature and data analysis, and the results of a survey of all North West local planning authorities, 19 telephone and face-to-face interviews and two focus group sessions with public and private sector participants. More than 40 organisations took part in the research.

An event due to be held on the 5 October will present the findings, and will look at whether a lack of resourcing in planning is undermining economic recovery across the region.

The report will also suggest practical ways in which local planning authorities and others can respond to these pressures to ensure future growth and development.

Dr Michael Harris, deputy head of policy and research at RTPI, said: “The UK Government has set out clearly its priorities for planning in England, focusing on the delivery of housing and development, and increasing the coverage of local plans. However, analysis conducted for this research suggests that significant reductions in local planning authority budgets and staffing may now be impacting on delivery and development.”

The launch event, ‘Investing in delivery: How we can respond to the pressures on local authority planning’, will be held from 4pm on Monday 5 October at Arup’s Manchester office. Speakers will include the chief executive of the RTPI, a senior local planning authority representative and Arup researchers.

The free event is aimed at local authority planners, local policymakers, developers, planning consultants, and researchers.

To attend contact Katherine.pollard@rtpi.org.uk.

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