POS Manifesto

 

This started in early 2014 when we looked ahead to the national parliamentary elections in May 2015. The main parties were drafting their manifestos, so we thought about what we could do to help them. This resulted in Planning for a better future: Our Planning manifesto for the next government (archive document). The time since then has seen an unprecedented amount of change to the planning system, so our initial planning manifesto for the next government has morphed into an on-going planning manifesto for government.

These are think pieces that tackle a topical area within planning practice and sets out our recommendations for improvement. They comprise a growing series of Manifesto Background Papers that look in detail at specific issues.

• Local plans: an evolutionary approach to improvement
• Infrastructure: funding it in a more effective way
• We need to talk about the Green Belt
• Red line submissions: a proportionate approach
• Affordable housing: delivering it in a more effective way
• From concept to construction: making the system more flexible
• Compulsory purchase: three essential improvements
• Land value capture: exploring the options 
• Spatial Planning: simplifying the process 
• iDM: managing development in industry 4.0 
• Improving enforcement services
• Planning Resources: designing a more efficient system 
• Addressing the housing crisis 

Those that are still current are summarised in our main Planning Manifesto paper that sets out the current ask from POS to the government.

The views expressed in these documents reflect the initial view of POS. It is a consensus position. It should not be taken as a final position; rather an informed starting point to debate the issues. It is expected that the recommendations will evolve as the debate progresses.

Where we can, we will work across the sector to craft proposals that have widespread support from the people who operate the planning system at the coalface: land owners, developers, agents, legal, local authorities and politicians. We will be both radical and practical as we look for solutions to tangible problems that will make a real difference to crucial areas. Our objective is to improve the planning system to enable it to deliver its key aim of sustainable development.