Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

RTPI and think tank consult on proposed planning framework for north of England

30 Jun 2015, 1:19 pm

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the northern branch of policy think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR North) have issued a 'call for evidence' seeking opinions on proposals to draw up a spatial planning framework for the north of England.

In a document published last week (4-page / 163 KB PDF), the RTPI and IPPR North said they would be hosting a series of roundtable events in northern cities through the summer, which would feed into a 'northern summit' in Leeds in November to "discuss a way forward for a Great North Plan".

The document called for "businesses, planners, academics, local councils, civil society groups – indeed, anyone living or working in the north of England" to submit their opinions on what the nature and scope of a Great North Plan should be. Matters open to consultation include the geographical area to be covered by the Plan, whether it should focus on cities or include rural areas too, and how it might relate to the strategic planning documents of local and combined authorities and UK government proposals to create a 'northern powerhouse'.

The two bodies also asked for views on how best to bring development of the Plan forward, including who should take charge of its development, suggested timetables and recommendations on how the process could be funded.

The first roundtable event took part in Sheffield last week with the remaining four to be held in Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester in July. The 'northern summit' in November is to be hosted by Leeds City Council and is expected to "assemble more than 100 stakeholders" and include a keynote speech from a government minister.

Planning expert Mike Pocock of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com said: "If the Northern Powerhouse is to be a reality it is essential that there is a clear vision setting out the projects and infrastructure which are required to deliver it. The northern cities must necessarily play a key role in shaping the ideas which will drive economic growth in the north of England."

"However, with the removal of regional spatial strategies the powers of the regions were significantly diluted," said Pocock. "Renewed discussion regarding regionalised planning powers in the form of a Great North Plan seems a logical step to ensure that the right projects and infrastructure are delivered as part of the Northern Powerhouse. The debate and evidence gathered as part of the mooted Great North Plan will therefore be of significant interest."