What are the key groups and networks for planning in Wales?
In the third in a series of WHQ features, Roisin Willmott outlines the main planning groups and networks in place in Wales. Similar features on housing and regeneration appeared in WHQ 91 and 92
Independent Advisory Group
The group, chaired by former Welsh director of the Planning Inspectorate John Davies MBE, is made up of representatives covering a wide variety of planning backgrounds, including environmental organisations, the construction industry, local government and planning law. The group’s findings will help provide the evidence base for the proposed Planning Bill for Wales (see below). http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/planningresearch/publishedresearch/towardsawelshplanningact/?lang=en
RTPI-CIH Planning for Housing Network
The RTPI-CIH Planning for Housing Network provides a cross-profession route to keeping well informed on and influencing developing policy and practice. The network is open to members of either the RTPI or the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). http://www.rtpi.org.uk/knowledge/networks/rtpi-cih-planning-for-housing-network/
Local authority networks
• Planning Officers Society Wales (POSW) • South East Wales Strategic Planning Group (SEWSPG) • North Wales Regional Planning Group • South Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party • North Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party • Transport Alliances: There are four consortia of local authorities which prepare and co-ordinate regional transport policies, plans and programmes on behalf of its constituent councils. These are:
– SEWTA – South east Wales
– SWWITCH – South west Wales
– TAITH – North Wales
– TRACC – Mid Wales
Wales Planning Consultants Forum
A grouping of larger planning consultancies based in South East Wales
RTPI’s rural housing interest group
The Interest Group on Rural Housing is beginning to build up web content on the topic. The interest group is open to members of the RTPI-CIH Planning for Housing Network.
Welsh Government: Wales Planning Forum
A Ministerial Forum convened by the Welsh Government of stakeholders involved in the planning system in Wales to discuss key Government planning initiatives in Wales.
Dr Roisin Willmott is director of RTPI Cymru
Positive Planning consultation
The Welsh Government is consulting on the draft Planning (Wales) Bill and consultation paper that set out proposals to modernise the planning system through primary and secondary legislation and policy and guidance.
The consultation paper calls for a culture change, a change in attitude away from regulating development towards encouraging and supporting development. Comments are due by February 26.
Housing and regeneration minister Carl Sargeant said: ‘Our planning system must deliver the growth in homes, jobs and infrastructure that current and future generations have every right to expect. I am committed to driving forward improvement and will work with others to move to a positive “can do” planning culture here in Wales.
‘The proposals will ensure that planning decisions are fair, consistent and made at the right level of Government. The Welsh Government will lead by example by taking planning decisions relating to the largest devolved infrastructure projects – developments of national significance.’
John Davies, who chaired the Independent Advisory Group that looked at how the planning system should change, added: ‘This ambitious legislative programme will make a real difference. It will create a distinct Welsh planning system that delivers development to meet the needs of the people of Wales. We must grasp this opportunity to build a planning system that is fit for the 21st Century.’
RTPI Cymru believes that the Bill needs to address three key issues: to be clear about the national planning hierarchy, what is planned and at what level it is managed; a National Development Plan or Framework with an express vision reflecting general national goals with stated outcomes; and thought about how we provide a sufficiently flexible model of strategic planning at a level between national and local level to meet need.