Town Planning Framework in UK - Assignment Example

? TOWN PLANNING FRAMEWORK IN THE UK Shaping Britain’s Towns and Cities Having evolved from health, sanitary and safety concerns in regard tothe 19th-century urban environment, town planning became highly specialised activity and system which involve professions, central and local government, and communities as well. This paper aims to explain the different levels of town planning policy framework in the United Kingdom, i.e. national – in regard to England, regional – concerning the North West and local – focused on the city of Manchester, identifying the main instruments for plan making. Contents Abstract 2 Abbreviations 4 Introduction 5 National, regional and local Framework for town planning 6 Delivering sustainable development 12 References 14 Bibliography 15 Abbreviations CLC (Department for) Communities and Local Government DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs DfT Department for Transport DPD Development Plan Document DRD Department for Regional Development EIP Examination in Public LDF Local Development Framework LDS Local Development Scheme NPF National Planning Framework NWDA North West Development Agency PPG Planning Policy Guidance PPS Planning Policy Statement RDA Regional Development Agency RPA Regeneration Priority Area RPB Regional Planning Body RSS Regional Spatial Strategy SCI Statement of Community Involvement SPD Supplementary Planning Document SRS Single Regional Strategy Introduction The environmental limitations of the nineteenth-century British towns and cities, badly required, and therefore quite naturally prompted a corrective, which came in the form of sequence of measures towards purposeful urban regulation, and eventually took shape of a modern discipline marked by both common sense and sparks of originality – the town planning. A major virtue and probably most conspicuous feature of the new discipline appeared the perceived relationship between environment, behaviour and social organisation; which reflected the main considerations in regard to urban concept, namely the spatial constituent formed under social, economic, technological and ideological influences, and the non-spatial but spatial-bound constituent that exerts those influences, the setting for which is provided by the former. Therefore, planning as a whole, and town planning in particular, is considered a system by which the use and development of land is managed for the benefit of all the community (Gaunt, Gudnadottir and Waring, 2006, p. 5). The town planning deals with the spatial organisation of towns and cities, including housing, schools, transport, offices, shops, retail, leisure, green belts, open space, etc.; as well as with preservation of historic and natural environment; sewage, drainage, an sewage disposal; lighting and water supply. In doing so, it inevitably affects issues like health, education, crime, employment, etc., and therefore directly influences the quality of life of the population/community concerned. Thus (according to post-modernism), town planning itself appears a bi-component matter which comprises both urban design (including architecture, etc.) and politics. In narrower pragmatic terms it could be further divided into planning, which concerns vision, and building regulations dealing with standards for design and construction. National, regional and local Framework for town planning Origins and evolution Under the weight of the late Victorian urban crisis, with the problem of working-class housing at the heart, town planning is considered to have powerfully reinforced underlying economic trends and social objectives, promising socially desirable cities which would also be economically efficient. The Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act of 1909 had been issued to introduce the institutional change necessary for the beginning of the conscious exercise in town building in the following decades. It is largely agreed that the Act have marked the birth of town planning in modern sense. In 1914, a group of architects, engineers, surveyors, etc., all engaged in the new field of town planning, had established the Town Planning Institute; the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919, and the Town and Country Planning Act of 1932, each focusing on development control by zoning, are thought to have widened town planning expansion out of its traditional remit – the attention had been turned towards cities as whole as well as towards a view of regional and national spatial distribution of population and industry (Cherry, 1988, p.103; Balchin, Sykora and Bull, 1999, p.89). Patrick Abercrombie, and his plans for Greater London, Clydeside, and the West Midlands, as well as those for Plymouth, Hull and Edinburgh, have confirmed the decentralist vision of Ebenezer Howard, and a real step towards comprehensive planning legislation has been taken with the Town and Country Planning Act of 1947. While the variety of urban design, characteristic of post-war Britain, stands somewhere between the mainly US-based populist model and the neo-traditional European one, there are three, clearly recognised types of policy in the field of town planning, which spanned within the twentieth century – the redistributive policies and strategies between the 1940s and 1970s; the New Right ‘neo-liberal’ approach during the 1980s expressed in limitations of local government role in development control and market-orientated initiatives; and the defined by Giddens (1998) third way, with strong leadership from the centre, active civil society, devolution, social exclusion, and mixed economy rebalancing public and private interests. Legislation The primary legislation for England is the Town and Country Planning Act of 1990 which consolidates certain enactments relating to town and country planning, while the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 set out special controls in respect of buildings and areas of special architectural or/and historic interest. The Planning and Compensation Act of 1991 has complemented the principal act; while the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is considered a watershed in the planning system as a whole, and town planning in particular, with respect to community’s involvement in the plan-making process (Gaunt, Gudnadottir and Waring, 2006, p.8). Other acts of the Parliament, which play a substantial role in complementing and defining the legislative framework for town planning, are: the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, later amended by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 which is considered a step towards simplifying the regional planning combining the different RSS into a Single Regional Strategy (SRS), the Housing Act 2004, the Planning Act 2008, and the Housing and Regeneration Act of 2008. There is also legislation that relate to the standards of premises or construction, with the Building Act 1984 as the primary legislation, under which the Building Regulations and other secondary legislation are made; the Party Wall etc. Act 1996; and the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004, which introduced new powers and requirements with respect to a range of building related issues ; along with many Local Acts in operation in various areas in England (Planning Portal, n.d.). Policy framework for town planning at national level Central government’s major policy tools are the Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG) and Planning Policy Statements (PPS) issued by the Department for Communities & Local Government (CLG), previously Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). National policy is additionally influenced by other Government departments, like the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Department for Transport (DfT), and Home Office (Gaunt, Gudnadottir and Waring, 2006, p.6). PPG and PPS provide advice on sustainable development and economic growth, housing, retail, transport, sustainable waste management, green belts, historic environment, open space, sport and recreation, etc. The current town planning policy is further explained by the Planning Circulars – documents intended to provide non-statutory advice and guidance on particular issues, including implementation of aspects of planning policy. The statutory instruments dealing with the building work are: the Building Regulations 2010 and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010 (Planning Portal, n.d.). Policy framework for town planning at regional level - North West Having been introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the statutory regional planning underwent further changes with the Planning Act 2008 which enables the Regional Planning Bodies (RPB) to delegate their planning functions and responsibilities to Regional Development Agencies (RDA) (Campaign to Protect Rural England, n.d.). Prior to July 2010, the RPB for the region of North West has been 4NW, with responsibility for housing, transport, economic development, etc. and working closely with the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The former North West Regional Spatial Strategy – North West Plan of England, adopted on 30th September 2008, was being underpinned and shaped by a number of key principles enshrined in the relevant legislation and central government policies – promoting sustainable communities, sustainable economy, best use of existing resources and infrastructure, increased accessibility, environmental quality, etc. (4 NW Archive, n.d.). The spatial priorities set by the Strategy, incorporated into the policy RDF1, included as first priority for growth and development the regional centres of Manchester and Liverpool; being followed by the inner areas surrounding these centres, along with emphasis on areas in need of regeneration and Housing Market Renewal Areas in particular; the third priority - towns and cities in the City Regions: Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Southport, Stockport, Wigan, etc.; and towns and cities outside the City Regions of Carlisle and Lancaster as fourth priority. According to the policy RDF1, which is considered the cornerstone of the RSS, development concerning priorities three and four should be focused ‘in and around’ the town centres, with strong emphasis on regeneration, and housing market renewal and restructuring (4 NW Archive, n.d.). There are sub-regional policies included in the Strategy, which are considered to amplify the regional framework; such as policies MCR2 and LCR2 broadly defining the regional centres and the surrounding inner areas, and explaining the approach to specific sorts of development there; as well as CLCR1 and 2 and supporting text, which set the priorities and vision for Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn and Burnley (4 NW Archive, n.d.). Following Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, the Regional Leader’s Board has brought together 4NW and key leaders of the region, all working towards a new Single Regional Strategy intended to bridge planning guidance with the economic strategy for the region of North West (4 NW Archive, n.d.). After the General Election in 2010, however, and the coalition Government commitment is to abolish the statutory basis for all regional plans and planning bodies, the effort has been harnessed to re-focus the Regional Strategy and develop it as a non-statutory high-level framework; as a consequence ‘Future North West’ has been published in 2010 (4 NW Archive, n.d.). Policy Framework for town planning at local level - Manchester In general, the Development Plan sets out policies and proposals for future development, indicates the range of existing development opportunities and maps out future provision of infrastructure; as well as identifies suitable sites/locations for housing, industry, commerce, education, social and community facilities, and public utilities. Following the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Manchester City Council has been required to prepare a Local Development Framework (LDF), in accordance with the Regional Spatial Strategy published in 2008, made up of two types planning documents – Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), which to set out guidelines for spatial development in Manchester (Manchester City Council, 2011). The Development Plan Documents contain various planning policy documents intended to define the Council’s approach to development in the city; while work is ongoing on the preparation of the Core Strategy, no DPDs has been adopted yet. The Council’s Core Strategy has been published on 10th February 2011 and is expected to be adopted in 2012 as the key Development Plan Document in the Local Development Framework. There have been a number of consultations throughout the preparation stage of the Core Strategy, and the current one – until 24th March – is the final before the document to be submitted for independent examination (third stage of DPDs preparation). At this stage, representations made would be in regard to issues of soundness and legal compliance. The Publication Core Strategy is accompanied by other documents, namely Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment Report of the Core Strategy, Infrastructure Delivery Plan, Consultation Statement, and Supporting documents (Manchester City Council, 2011). The Site-Specific Allocations Development Plan Document identifies the key sites for development, including housing, employment and district centre boundaries; being in general conformity with PPSs, the Core Strategy, and the Council’s Sustainable Communities Strategy. The Statement of Community Involvement has been prepared and adopted in January 2007; the Greater Manchester Joint Development Plan Documents are also currently being prepared with other Greater Manchester authorities. From the SPDs giving more information on particular issues, the only documents adopted in 2007 and 2008 respectively are: Guide to Development in Manchester – Supplementary Planning Document and Planning Guidance, and Providing for Housing Choice (Manchester City Council, 2011). The processing of planning applications, appeals and enforcement matters (development control) are carried out by Development Control Processing and three Area Teams. The Development Control Processing team deals with processing planning applications, handling fees, site and decision notices; the Development Control Area Teams provide advice on determining planning applications, carry out planning consultations, and deal with planning appeals when and as required. The teams are as follows: City Centre, North Area and South Area (Manchester City Council, 2011). Delivering sustainable development Planning Policy Statement 1 sets out the Government’s planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system, in conjunction and accordance with the national planning policy (ODPM, 2005). The Rochdale Borough Renaissance Masterplan has been launched in 2005 setting out ambitious objectives and priorities for the Borough’s regeneration. The plan offered a vision for the borough by 2020 being the best in urban living, including high quality living environment, excellent work opportunities and a wide range of leisure activities (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, n.d.). Seven themes appeared dominant within the masterplan, setting the strategy’s objectives as follows: to re-establish borough’s town centres as the main focus for shopping, trade and culture; to develop a range of locations suitable for the needs of the business; to develop attractive sustainable neighbourhoods with the main focus on massive regeneration of the areas close to town centres, and a restructuring of social rented housing areas; to promote the countryside and green infrastructure as a major borough’s asset; to concentrate investment and environmental improvement on key gateways and transport corridors; to make radical improvements to the public transport network via improving the connections within the Borough and the wider City region; and to make a dramatic improvement in the design of both new developments and open spaces (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, n.d.). Twelve months after the masterplan launch, significant progress has been reported, namely being made on Kingsway Business Park and on its target to bring over ?350m of investment and 1500 more jobs into the Borough, alongside growing town centres with redevelopments in Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood, a new Leisure Centre (the Middleton Arena) being built in Middleton town centre, as well as sites cleared for a major redevelopment of Rochdale Town Centre, starting with the site for a new bus station and a major office scheme. The former Heywood Police Station has been converted into high quality managed workspace. The Broadfield Park Heritage Lottery Restoration Scheme, costing over ?2m delivered improvements to the landscape, infrastructure, monuments and fixed heritage structures, has been completed. The major highways scheme at the Oldham Road/Kingsway junction has been completed as well, which combined with the opening of the Kingsway link road - Sir Isaac Newton Way - has greatly improved access to the town from the south. The revised Junction 21 from the M62 has been completed, providing direct access to Kingsway and Rochdale town centre; in addition the Kingsway/Oldham Road Junction has been upgraded, etc. (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, n.d.). The reported results indicate that town planning and the planning system in the UK, though sometimes being considered too much complicated, would be instrumental in delivering the necessary balance between new development and the existing environment, as well as in creating better places for people to work and live in. References 1. Balchin, P., Sykora, L. and Bull, G., 1999, Regional Policy and Planning in Europe, London: Routledge, p. 89 2. Cherry, G. E., 1988, Cities and Plans: the Shaping of Urban Britain in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, London: Edward Arnold, p. 103 3. Campaign to Protect Rural England, n.d., Regional Planning [online] Available at [Accessed 4 April 2011] 4. Gaunt, C., Gudnadottir, E., and Waring, L., 2006, The Handy Guide to Planning, London: Urban Forum, pp. 5, 10 [online] Available at [Accessed 4 April 2011] 5. Giddens, Anthony (1998) The Third Way. The Renewal of Social Democracy. Cambridge : Polity (publisher) 6. Manchester City Council, 2011, Planning and buildings, About the Local Development Framework, [online] Available at [Accessed 6 April 2011] 7. Manchester City Council, 2011, Environmental services, Local Development Scheme 2010 - 2013, [online] Available at [Accessed 6 April 2011] 8. Manchester City Council, 2011, Planning and buildings, Development Control Contacts, [online] Available at [Accessed 6 April 2011] 9. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2003, Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, [online] Available at < http://www. communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement1.pdf> [Accessed 5 April 2011] 10. Planning Portal, n.d., Building Policy and legislation / Current Policy [online] [Accessed 5 April 2011] 13. The Northwest Regional Development Agency, 4NW, n.d., Future North West: Our Shared Priorities, [online] Available at [Accessed 7 April 2011] 14. 4 NW Archive, n.d., Regional Planning, [online] Available at < http://www.4nw. org.uk/whatwedo/?page_id=625> [Accessed 7 April 2011] Bibliography 1. Balchin, P., Sykora, L. and Bull, G., 1999, Regional Policy and Planning in Europe, London: Routledge 2. Cherry, G. E., 1988, Cities and Plans: the Shaping of Urban Britain in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, London: Edward Arnold 3. Campaign to Protect Rural England, n.d., Regional Planning [online] Available at [Accessed 4 April 2011] 4. Gaunt, C., Gudnadottir, E., and Waring, L., 2006, The Handy Guide to Planning, London: Urban Forum, pp. 5, 10 [online] Available at 5. Giddens, A., 1998,  The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy, Cambridge : Polity (publisher) 6. Manchester City Council, 2011, Planning and buildings, About the Local Development Framework, [online] Available at 7. Manchester City Council, 2011, Environmental services, Local Development Scheme 2010 - 2013, [online] Available at 8. Manchester City Council, 2011, Planning and buildings, Development Control Contacts, [online] Available at 9. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2003, Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, [online] Available at < http://www. communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/planningpolicystatement1.pdf> 10. Planning Portal, n.d., Building Policy and legislation / Current Policy [online] 11. Planning Act 2008, (c. 29), London: HMSO, [online] Available at 12. Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, n.d., Rochdale Borough Renaissance Masterplan: Progress Report 2008/9, [online] Available at < http://www.rochdale. gov.uk/pdf/2008%20Progress%20Report.pdf> 13. The Northwest Regional Development Agency, 4NW, n.d., Future North West: Our Shared Priorities, [online] Available at 14. 4 NW Archive, n.d., Regional Planning, [online] Available at < http://www.4nw. org.uk/whatwedo/?page_id=625> Read More