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What Good (plans) Looks
Like- Birmingham
Our latest case study in our
"What Good Looks Like" series is from Birmingham City
Council, who adopted their local plan in January 2017. These case
studies review recent local plans and their Inspector’s report, and provide a
short commentary based on the themes of the Housing White Paper. In case you
didn't catch our first case study it was from Derby City Council and you can take a look at it here.
Birmingham has a big story to tell. It is the UK’s ‘second city’ and has a
young and diverse population. The city centre is a major attraction and it has
a significant influence on the surrounding region. Read how they tackled the
challenges of making the best use of land for huge housing numbers whilst looking
to boost economic regeneration, including an innovative way of keeping the
employment land supply up.
Read the Birmingham case study
Read the Derby case study
Planning peer challenge
We know we probably go on a bit about peer challenges. But they are
really, really useful things. We reckon that Phil Mason is one of the best
Heads of Planning around and Cornwall have just had their second peer
challenge. It’s not a medicine for weak councils – it is a way of taking stock for
strong councils. Phil was kind enough to share his
thoughts with us recently.
Not all councils are at the right stage for a peer challenge, and they
do represent a significant investment of time and energy. If you want to
schedule a conversation about whether they are right for you, contact Stephen.barker@local.gov.uk
Watch the video
Swindon and their
changing approach to plan-making
David
Dewart at Swindon is one of our strongest peers and an all-round good egg, and
he delighted our 2017 conference with an impromptu speech that reminded
everyone that good planning is like sprinkling fairy dust on places.
We
asked him to set out what he meant in a video post. In a 7 minute interview he
talks about delivery, design, and what Swindon has learned about how to plan
for growth. Remember if you want to dip your toe in the water as a peer there
is an invitation in this bulletin.
Watch the video
Experiences of dealing
with Shale applications
We have been working with Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire
and West Sussex County Councils to capture the experience and learning of dealing
with highly controversial "fracking" applications.
The experience of the four authorities provides valuable advice to help
other councils to process and determine applications, including engaging with
developers, local communities and the other regulators.
Read the case study
Housing White Paper event series
Following our very successful events earlier in the year, we are pleased to set up another set of events around the country. This will allow planners to follow developments in the Government’s policy position in a number of important areas.
Register your interest at the venue best suited to you. We will send out more detailed agendas closer to the time.
Book your place
Brownfield Register technical
guidance launch
DCLG and
iStandUK have been working together to develop guidance and standards that will
tell authorities all they need to know about the requirements for preparing
their registers. DCLG has therefore commissioned three workshops, in London,
Manchester and Bristol, with support from iNetwork & iStandUK, which are
designed to support authorities as they gear up to meet these requirements.
These
events are aimed at both planners, and GIS and/or data officers, with
responsibility for preparing and publishing brownfield registers by December
2017.
These
events are already underway, to see if there are spaces
available go to iStandUK.
PAS Peers – Training the Trainers
We are training
and supporting a group of experienced councillors and officers to support their
peers in local government. If you’ve worked with PAS before or are completely
new to peer work you are invited to two specially created ‘train the trainer’
sessions on 10th and 24th of October. In the first session,
you’ll find out more about peer support and learn the key principles of
successful peer-led work, and in session 2 hear you’ll from colleagues and
special guests about the specific planning topics you’ll need to focus on.
Sign up here
Leadership Essentials
Planning Programmes for 2017/18
This is our flagship residential course for planning portfolio holders,
leaders, chairs and deputy leaders. It provides time and expertise to ensure
that councillors are up to speed and thinking ahead. We are grateful to the LGA
who sponsor these courses so they are provided at a discount to members. Our
next two events are:
Decision making at planning
committee: how to run a good planning committee
Thursday
7 to Friday 8 September 2017: For Planning committee
Chairs and Vice-Chairs. This will include detailed information on the changes
in how appeal decisions can count against a council.
Planning Reform: understanding
the planning change agenda
Saturday
27 to Sunday 28 January 2018: For all senior councillors.
This will review all the recent changes to the Government’s policy so
councillors can consider and respond to them.
These events cost £250 which includes accommodation
and meals. Contact grace.collins@local.gov.uk for more information.
The great English plan-off
Are you
up for planning challenge? The Planning Advisory Service is inviting talented
people working in the built environment sector from across the country to team
up to solve a tricky planning problem.
The
“Great Plan off” starts this October in the capital. You will join a team of fellow
built environment professionals to address a real planning challenge to help a council
develop and implement an innovative solution. You may be tackling anything from
a development site to a whole Local Plan approach. And a bit like "bake off", at the
end of the day your teams will get feedback from an expert panel of judges and
a winner announced. Prizes? Naturally.
Our first
challenge is hosted by the London Borough of Kingston in October. They have a
new economic strategy, but it doesn't have a spatial expression. How can the
magic of planning enable it? How can we apply the various tools in the planning
toolbox to improve the outcomes for people and places? And just how quickly can
planners do this stuff?
Fun, challenging and a great learning experience, it's
a great chance to develop your planning skills, exercise your creativity and
meet others in the sector. Interested as a solo or with a team? Contact pas@local.gov.uk to register your interest and to receive more
details.
Housing advisers programme
The LGA has announced a new programme of support for councils delivering against a housing need for their area. It provides external expertise in housing, planning and homelessness for councils to unblock schemes or make progress with programmes. More details on the LGA website.
Partnerships
The LGA is developing a
publication in conjunction with the British Property Federation, Federation of
Master Builders, Home Builders Federation and the Planning Advisory Service to
showcase effective partnership approaches to positive planning.
If you would like to
showcase work you have done in your area, please contact jo.allchurch@local.gov.uk by 15 August
2017.
Planning
and Brexit
Self builds and absconded debtors
Designation
crystal ball 2017
Objectors
Personal Details - Planning Applications and Letters of Objection
More about the KHub here
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