img(height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=2939831959404383&ev=PageView&noscript=1")

Comment: Is there a plan for planning?

Words:
Jan-Carlos Kucharek

Even after the rejection of Liz Truss and her economic bombshell, British political turmoil is still far from over. Where does that leave the threatened planning free-for-all?

The ongoing government shenanigans makes it hard to pen a topical leader, especially with the not-so-shocking resignation of the prime minister, so what will that mean for her mooted plan to stimulate economic growth by further deregulating the planning system? The Guardian reported that Truss' secretary of state for levelling up Simon Clarke was planning a ‘bonfire of red tape pertaining to aspects of housing development such as EU rules, affordable housing, nutrient pollution and biodiversity improvements.’

That proposed ‘planning reset’ ruffled a lot of feathers, not least in her own party. Conservative MP Bob Seely of the party’s Planning Concern Group said on BBC’s Newsnight, just before the Bank of England pulled the plug on buying bonds to shore up a failing government policy, that a blanket approach to deregulation would serve only powerful developers who are already ‘sitting on a million permissions’ anyway.

His legitimate concern must be seen in the light of the recent RTPI report highlighting that after a decade of underfunding, local authority spending on planning has dropped by an average of 43%, leaving even fewer resources to deal with application backlogs.

Then there’s the environment lobby – not just Extinction Rebellion and anti-frackers – the chaotic vote on which pretty much sealed Liz Truss’ fate. There’s genteel middle England, the National Trust, RSPB and the Wildlife & Countryside Link, all considering direct action to prevent policies they feel would put profit over conservation of nature.

And still no home grants concessions to the likes of Insulate Britain, meaning a lot of that government energy subsidy is bleeding straight out of your home’s walls and roof. XCO2’s Ricardo Moreira will explain in the latest issue of PiP what he’s doing about that at his place; but if you prefer to do nothing, grab a blanket, and see what the next prime minister has in store for us. This could be a long winter.

Latest

Great architects deeply understood, and responded to, their context. We should talk the language of now, but never let the status quo limit us, argues Muyiwa Oki

We should talk the language of now, but never let the status quo limit us, argues Muyiwa Oki

In Blackheath, south London, Francisco Sutherland Architects replaced a failing 1980s glazed linkway with a barrel-vaulted space that offers glimpses of newly landscaped courtyards

Francisco Sutherland Architects replaced a 1980s glazed linkway with a barrel-vaulted space that offers glimpses of landscaped courtyards

Propose an installation that 'transcends utility' for a square in Bridgetown, reimagine the civic centre of an historic market town, bid for a spot on a construction consultancy services framework - some of the latest architecture competitions and contracts from across the industry

Latest: Caribbean pavilion contest

In the Portuguese capital, Metro Urbe's Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins deftly weaves together history, culture and hospitality into a harmonious narrative

Metro Urbe's Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins deftly weaves together culture and hospitality

At O’Donnell + Tuomey's densely programmed dance studio and performance venue in Stratford, east London the acoustic design goes unnoticed - just as intended

Just as intended, the acoustic design goes unnoticed at O’Donnell + Tuomey's Stratford dance studio and performance venue