The Planning SystemColeg GwentFinance & Estates Committee

28th September 2010

Roisin Willmott MRTPI

Aims of the session

Background to how planning has developed

Introduction to the Wales’ planning system today

Provide an understanding of how the system works

Context

Infrastructure planning Historic environment

Industry and employment Leisure & tourism Economic development &

employment Renewable energy Transport

Marine planning Housing Urban design Regeneration Environmental planning Retail planning Minerals & waste Education Etc …

Evolution of planning

Changing priorities: 1667 – recovery from plague and fire 1700 – canals 1800 – rail, water and sewerage 1900 – garden cities 1918 – homes for heroes 1930 – suburbs and green belts 1940 – war damage 1950 – new towns 1960 – slum clearance 1970 – housing 1980 – urban regeneration 1990 – environmental issues 2000 – sustainable development

Bourneville Village

Planning acts, trends & priorities

1909 The Housing, Town Planning etc. ActConcerned largely with public health and aimed to achieve healthy communities.

1919 The Housing, Town Planning etc. Act Revised Introduced early versions of today's planning systems

1932 Town & Country Planning ActExtended planning powers to include all land, rural and urban.

Wartime reports – Barlow, Scott & Reith

1944 Town & Country Planning Act Major re-construction – Emphasis on physical planning

Planning acts, trends & priorities

1947 Town & Country ActIntroduced ‘comprehensive’ planning system. Included within broad introduction of welfare state. Forms the basis of planning system in place today

Major physical development after the war

1990s - Awareness of the environment

2000 - Sustainable development

Closing of the World Summit on Sustainable Development

Planning is important …

It is not new: we’ve been doing it for thousands of years It affects everyone in their daily lives It affects the development industry, the economy & the environment Planners consider and balance opinions and social, economic and

environmental issues and effects It is difficult to change our minds if we get it wrong People remember the mistakes, but tend to forget the successes As a planner you will always upset someone!

Planning is important …

“The planning system regulates the development and use of land in the public interest.

“It should reconcile the needs of development and conservation, securing economy, efficiency and amenity in the use of land, and protecting natural resources and the historic environment.

“A well functioning planning system is fundamental for sustainable development.”

Planning Policy Wales, July 2010

Devolution –Government of Wales Act 2006

Duties regarding equal opportunities & sustainable development

Town and Country Planning devolved

Distinct planning system and policy in Wales

Policy in Wales

National policy – Planning Policy Wales European Directives transposed through UK

Law, embedded in planning policy A set of local policies

Local Development Plans Unitary Development Plans Local Plans / Structure Plans Supplementary Planning Guidance

Sustainable Buildings Policy in Wales

May 2009 ‘Planning for Sustainable Buildings’ Uses energy hierarchy Covers three aspects:

• Design of developments to provide effectiveadaptation to and resilience against future climate change

• Use of sustainable building standards – Code and BREEAM• Standards for strategic sites in LDPs

Policy Hierarchy

European and National legislation Circulars and Statutory Instruments National Policy: Planning Policy Wales 2010; Other Assembly policy e.g. Wales Spatial Plan Various Technical Advice Notes (TANs) - topic

specific

At the local level Emerging or ‘stopped’ plans ‘adopted for development

control purposes’ Supplementary Planning Guidance - topic specific Site Specific Development Briefs Advice Notes / guidance notes

The Development Plan

Section 54A & 38(6) requires decisions on proposals to be made in line with the adopted ‘Development Plan’

The Development Plan (UDPs and in future LDPs) are intended to provide a firm and rational basis for consistent decision making.

National policy states that applications which are not in accordance with the ‘plan’ should not be allowed unless material considerations justify a grant of permission

Development Plans for Coleg Gwent

Current Adopted Plan LDP Position

Blaenau Gwent Adopted UDP July 2006 Consultation on Deposit Plan autumn 2010

Brecon Beacons

Adopted UDP March 2007 Consultation on Deposit Plan autumn 2010

Caerphilly Adopted UDP for DC purposes March 2004

Possibly to be adopted in September 2010 – first in Wales?

Monmouthshire Adopted UDP June 2006 Consultation on rural housing this summer; Deposit Plan scheduled for autumn 2010.

Newport Adopted UDP May 2006 Consultation on the preferred strategy in October / November 2010?

Torfaen Adopted Torfaen Local Plan (July 2000) and the adopted Gwent Structure Plan (March 1996)

Deposit Torfaen LDP expected to be issued for consultation by end of 2010.

A Plan-led System

The Plan is the starting point to determine applications for development

‘Material considerations’ are always crucial and must be weighed against the Plan

Material considerations

Design issues: Intrinsic / visual impactImpact issues: Traffic / retail / noise / privacy

Technical issues: Privacy standards Amenity standards Car parking standardsEnvironmental issues: Historic environment Nature / habitats LandscapePlanning history: Permissions/appeals Judgements FallbackOther examples: Public Opinion Personal circumstances Economic benefits

The Application

Type: Outline Full Reserve Matters

Supporting Evidence: Design and Access Statements Code for Sustainable Homes / BREEAM

Traffic Assessments Biodiversity – e.g. bat survey Language Impact Assessment Health Impact Assessment

Conditions

Welsh Office Circular 35/95: The Use of Conditions in planning permissions

The tests: Necessary Relevant to planning Relevant to the development to be

permitted Enforceable Precise Reasonable

Who Makes the Decision?

Local Planning Authority Planning Committee Delegated to Officers Called-in applications Permitted development (PD)

Planning Appeal: The Planning Inspectorate Wales

Latest / emerging reforms

The Planning Act 2008 (England and Wales)

A major infrastructure decision making processNational Policy Statements / Infrastructure Planning Commission

Community Infrastructure Levy

A system strongly influenced by economic development, climate change, sustainable development

In England – the ‘localism’ agenda

Today’s planning system

Modernisation of the system

A speedier system Improved public confidence Planning as a co-ordinating and integrative devise Outcome rather than output and process orientated

Summary

The planning system has evolved in response to rapid growth and changing priorities.

1947 Town & Country Planning Act Introduced a comprehensive planning system which still forms the basis of today’s system.

Planning is broad and diverse in terms of the areas and issues it is required to address.

The system is constantly developing

Sustainable development is the core principle underpinning planning.

Questions?

www.rtpi.org.uk