By Lewis Davis
Focus360 Energy: property compliance services – pre-planning to post-construction. Learn more.
Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Emily Harper, a seasoned urban planner working with the South East Local Planning Authority. Emily’s insights provided a compelling look at the potential impact of the CBI’s new “Planning for Growth” report, which aims to transform the UK’s current planning system into a beacon for investment. Our discussion centered on one of the report’s key recommendations: allowing Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to bring in locally determined and ringfenced planning fees. This approach promises to make the system more flexible, more aligned to local needs, and more capable of fostering economic growth.
Emily greeted me with a warm smile and a firm handshake as we settled into a corner of her office, a space filled with maps, blueprints, and stacks of planning documents. She began by recounting her experience with the existing planning framework, noting the challenges and inefficiencies that have long plagued the system.
“The current planning process is often cumbersome and slow,” Emily began. “We spend a significant amount of time navigating bureaucratic hurdles that delay projects and frustrate both developers and the community. The CBI’s proposal to allow LPAs to set their own planning fees could be a game-changer.”
Emily explained that under the current system, planning fees are standardized and often insufficient to cover the actual costs incurred by LPAs. This funding gap hampers their ability to process applications efficiently and provide quality service. “By allowing us to determine our own fees, we can better align our resources with the complexity and scale of each project,” she said.
One of the most striking aspects of our conversation was Emily’s optimism about how locally determined fees could enhance community engagement and project outcomes. “When fees are ringfenced and reinvested into the planning process, it ensures that the revenue generated directly supports the services we provide. This could lead to faster decision-making and more robust planning outcomes,” she noted.
Emily also highlighted how this flexibility could address local economic conditions and project complexities. “Every locality has its unique set of challenges and opportunities. By tailoring fees to our specific needs, we can make more informed decisions that benefit the entire community,” she said. “For instance, a major infrastructure project might require extensive environmental assessments and public consultations, which we can now fund more effectively.”
The idea of using locally determined fees to bring in independent consultants for major applications was another point of excitement for Emily. “Access to specialist expertise is crucial for handling complex projects. Being able to hire independent consultants means we can expedite the decision-making process without compromising on quality or transparency,” she explained.
During our discussion, Emily shared a recent experience that illustrated the potential benefits of these reforms. She spoke about a large-scale housing development that had been delayed due to the LPA’s limited resources. “The developer was eager to move forward, but we simply didn’t have the capacity to process the application quickly. If we had the ability to set our own fees and hire additional consultants, we could have avoided those delays and kept the project on track,” she recounted.
As we delved deeper into the conversation, Emily touched on the broader implications of the CBI’s recommendations. “The current system often feels like it’s designed to prevent development rather than facilitate it. By prioritising efficiency and flexibility, we can create an environment that attracts investment and drives economic growth,” she said.
Emily also emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in realising these goals. “Promoting greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, especially for brownfield site development, can lead to faster and more sustainable redevelopment. This not only benefits the economy but also enhances the quality of life for local residents,” she observed.
Our conversation concluded on a hopeful note, with Emily expressing her belief that these reforms could mark the beginning of a new era for urban planning in the UK. “The CBI’s report is a step in the right direction. By adopting a more flexible and locally responsive approach, we can turn the planning system into a catalyst for growth rather than a barrier,” she said with a smile.
As I left Emily’s office, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by her vision for a more efficient and dynamic planning system. Her insights underscored the importance of empowering LPAs to take charge of their own destinies, making the system more adaptable and aligned with local needs. The potential benefits of such reforms are immense, promising a future where planning not only supports but actively drives economic prosperity.
Lewis Davis
Be the first to comment