Response to Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill

Dear Minister

Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill

As you know, the Planning Officers Society represents all local government chief planning officers, and exists in part to advise the Government of proposed changes to the planning system. In this respect, I am writing to you to raise my concern about the omission on the face of the above Bill of any clear role for the principal local authorities (and, in consequence, the district planning authorities) in the new regional planning arrangements. As you know, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 sets out duties for the principal authorities under sections 4(4) and 5(5). While I am aware that there has been discussion of this matter - in particular, the inclusion of an equivalent to section 4(4) - in the House of Lords, I am disappointed with the Government's response to date.

You will be aware that the 4(4) authorities have played a significant part in the development of Regional Spatial Strategies, both through their sub-regional work and offering advice, technical expertise and knowledge to the regional planning bodies. Much of this work has been done in partnership with the district councils in two-tier areas.

You will also be aware that the upper tier authorities as highway authorities are responsible for the delivery of much of the transport infrastructure that is so vital to the delivery of regional plans. They are responsible for much of the education infrastructure, and are the minerals and waste planning authorities. If their delivery role is to be respected, it is essential that they should have a substantial voice in the development of the regional plan.

The use of principal authorities' strategic planning knowledge and experience goes well beyond regional planning. It is used by many district councils in the development and monitoring of local plans and local development frameworks, and in coordinating studies (including Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments) which form part of the evidence base of their work. In some areas, it has been used to coordinate and even undertaken much of the work for the Strategic Housing Market Assessments. Strategic planning knowledge and expertise has also been used in developing Sustainable Community Strategies and Multi Area Agreements. This is an efficient use of resources and I should not want this knowledge and experience to be lost.

Vehicles such as Strategic Partnerships and Multi Area Agreements give principal authorities excellent links with both the private sector and other public sector bodies. They can therefore ensure that there is coherence between regional and sub-regional plans and strategies. On a point of detail, I am surprised that the Bill does not contain a clear link between the new economic assessment duty, sub regional planning and the regional strategy.

Consequently I ask you to consider once again the inclusion in the Bill of an equivalent to Section 4(4) of the current Act, to ensure that an equivalent of Section 5(5) is included and to make clear the link between the new economic assessments and regional planning.

Yours sincerely

Phil Kirby, President