05 May 2026
The POS Good Practice Guidance Note: Strategic Applications sets out how local planning authorities can shift from a traditional Development Team Service to a more proactive Design Team Service, ensuring that good design is embedded from the very start of major development proposals. The guide explains that Government now expects the planning system to “achieve well designed spaces” and treat the creation of high‑quality places as “fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve” . It highlights national initiatives such as the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and the National Design Guide, all reinforcing the need for stronger design leadership in planning.
The guidance provides a structured five‑stage pre‑application model—Initiation, Urban Design, Community Engagement, Application Preparation and Closedown—aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work to maximise early influence on design outcomes. It emphasises collaborative working between planners, developers, councillors, communities and specialist consultees, supported by tools such as Planning Statements, Project Plans and Planning Performance Agreements. The overall aim is a front‑loaded, design‑led process that delivers better places, reduces risk, and ensures that strategic applications arrive as well‑considered, high‑quality proposals ready for determination.
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28 November 2025
The RTPI has recently published its State of the Profession report setting out recruitment, skills need, working practices and demographics of LPAs, and the career experiences, career plans, wellbeing and demographics of member respondents.
These findings add to those gained through the POS Membership Survey run over the summer and demonstrate the need for greater support to ensure the sector can continue to deliver.
Read the RTPI report here:
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-research/state-of-the-profession-2025/state-of-the-profession-2025-england/
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