Wednesday 24th November 2010, Strand Palace - London, 08:30 - 13:55 (half day)

Reforming the Planning System: The Way Forward

Overview

An accessible streamlined planning system is vital for economic growth, for a sustainable environment and for a successful democracy. An effective system will help invigorate the construction industry, create new jobs and contribute to local economies. As demand for infrastructure, such as housing, roads, railways and energy centres grows, the government will introduce a new planning regime to stimulate the economy.

In their first few months of governance, the coalition has enacted several new measures to reform the planning system. The government has brought forward new primary legislation to close the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which will be replaced by a Major Infrastructure Planning Unit. The government will also ensure that all National Policy Statements are subject to ratification by Parliament, ensuring the democratic process is fulfilled. In July 2010, The Penfold Review delivered its findings into ‘non-planning consents’ and recommended a system of measures to free up resources and encourage growth through reduced bureaucracy for developers.

The government will produce a new consolidated national planning framework, setting out national economic, environmental and social priorities. The government has pledged to protect the green belt and areas of outstanding natural beauty from urban sprawl.

Prior to the election, the Conservative party published the Open Source Planning paper, setting out the parties priorities for the planning system. Open Source Planning has three main tenets –

1. Restore democratic and local control over the planning system
2. Rebalance the system in favour of sustainable development
3. Produce a simpler, quicker, cheaper and less bureaucratic planning system

Open Source aims to rebalance power away from the centre and back into locally accountable councils and their communities. Open Source will create a basic national framework of priorities from which local people and their authorities can produce their own personalised policies. This will ensure that new buildings meet the needs of local communities, the economy and the wider society. The new system is designed to promote participation and give individuals the greatest possible say over local planning options, strengthening society and bringing communities together. 

Agenda

08:30	Registration and Coffee
09:15	Chair’s Welcome Address Sir Michael Pitt, Chairman, Infrastructure Planning Commission (CONFIRMED)
09:30	Opening Keynote: A New Planning Regime Open Source Planning – impact on local authorities, communities and the private sector A consolidated National Planning Framework Protecting the Green Belt – environmental sustainability Bringing communities together through the planning system Making the planning system faster and more responsive to local needs The impact of scrapping Regional Strategies The Major Infrastructure Planning Unit – efficiency and accountability National Policy Statements and the parliamentary process Steve Quartermain, Chief Planner, Department for Communities and Local Government (CONFIRMED)
09:50	Questions and Answers Session
10:00	Case Study – Implementing Local Planning Strategies Decentralising power - creating local, flexible planning policies Ensuring building programmes meet local requirements Balancing economic concerns with local needs Reducing bureaucracy – creating an efficient planning process The abolition of Minimum Density Targets Driving forward community regeneration through planning Ensuring local planning authorities have the resources to effectively deal with applications Nick Cuff, Chairman of Planning, London Borough of Wandsworth (CONFIRMED)
10:20	Planning Priorities in Rural Communities Impact of the abolition of Regional Strategies Protecting the Green Belt Developing planning regimes in keeping with the local environment Reducing inequalities in rural regeneration Meeting the housing and infrastructure needs of local residents Fiona Howie, Head of Planning, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CONFIRMED)
10:40	Questions and Answers Session
10:55	Coffee Break and Networking
11:25	Reforming Planning and Economic Regeneration Invigorating the economy through the planning system Encouraging investment in infrastructure – creating local jobs Town planning – impacts for community regeneration Giving local communities a share in local growth Financial incentives for local authorities Simplifying planning law and attracting development Utilising planning to reduce inequalities in urban and regional growth Matthew Farrow, Head, Energy, Transport and Planning, CBI (CONFIRMED)
11.45	Balancing Development and Regeneration with Environmental Concerns - the Challenge of Climate Change Adaptation Planning for long tern climate changes The role of mitigation and adaptation Future proofing development and regeneration Tackling long term water supply Simon Birch, Head of Planning and Environmental Assessment, Environment Agency (CONFIRMED)
12:05	Enhancing Community Engagement Giving communities greater say over the shape of their local area Encouraging communities to find sustainable solutions to building needs Ensuring building, especially housing, meets the needs of local people Encouraging participation and engagement with the planning process Ensuring the design process considers the needs of all local residents The role of town planning in reducing inequalities Kathy MacEwen, Head of Planning Advice, CABE (CONFIRMED)
12:25	Questions and Answers Session
12:45	Chairman's Closing Remarks
12:55	Lunch and Networking
13:55	Close

* programme subject to change without notice

Audience

Delegates will include key representatives from central government departments & bodies, local authorities, trade unions, think tanks, businesses and employers, heads of planning, housing associations, energy and construction industries, engineers, planning experts, local developers, funding institutions, regional development organisations, environmental experts, environment consultants, civil and environmental engineers, property developers, urban designers and planners, architects, interest groups, academia, legal & voluntary representatives and all those interested in the planning system.

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