Planning Ingenuity’s Post

My Abt colleague, Naganika Sanga, and I have written a new commentary that examines state policies that are needed to complement zoning reform in order to boost #housingsupply. #Zoningreform is an important start, but it's not enough. States also need to focus on #infrastructure, #workforce development, #modularhousing and other offsite construction strategies, and developing comprehensive #state #housing strategies. https://lnkd.in/eDjHPGn8

Government's housebuilding programme puts planning system at centre, says Royal Town Planning Institute The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has noted the emphasis on the planning system's pivotal role in the government's plan to revive the UK economy, as outlined in the King's Speech.  Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, commended the government's efforts to increase the capacity of local planning authorities and underscored the potential impact of these measures on restoring trust in the planning system and fostering thriving communities. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “The government has laid the groundwork for achieving its housing and infrastructure ambitions by setting plans to increase the capacity of local planning authorities. We believe that these measures will not only restore trust in the planning system but also demonstrate that with sufficient resources, the planning system can effectively create spaces where communities can thrive. “It is essential for planners to make a significant impact within the government's first parliamentary term. To achieve this, measures such as ringfencing resources, allowing councils to set their own fees at an appropriate level for their area, and enabling full cost recovery for their services need to be implemented quickly.” On modernising planning committees: “The Institute believes planning committees need modernisation and could include a national scheme of delegation, allowing planning officers to make some decisions themselves. https://lnkd.in/enHA6qVT

A big moment for Wellington City. Yesterday the Council made their decisions on the direction of the Proposed District Plan. This is a relief to finally have some certainty on how can progress potential projects in our city. Whilst there are plenty of opinions around how this should have landed, the reality is it will be a long time before we see any noticeable change in built form scale that has been the key subject of debate. There are many challenges in the development and construction space that will take time to adapt to what will now be facilitated. The good news is that we will have certainty that a mechanism will be in place that supports modern models of housing form and needs and utlimately we can make market led decisions on solutions.

The government announced last Wednesday that it will commit £68m in funding to go directly to 54 councils. It will mean that councils can build on brownfield sites – such as disused buildings, car parks and industrial sites. This is good news for our frameworks, their contractors and supply chain, supporting not only new homes but also supporting public infrastructure.   More efficient land use such as this is critical to realising ambitions. Our frameworks would advise planners to focus on dense urban sites where demands are lower, such as areas previously used for retail, office, or industrial use. Part of this is also about ensuring easy access to public services. Should we be considering the 15-minute city concept as everyone deserves easy access to critical services, such as healthcare and education? How do we not forget our climate ambitions as we build large urban conurbations? The funding is about supporting urban regeneration but we need to think about what model we are striving for. Is the traditional new town model (think Milton Keynes) now outdated for our modern needs? Do we need a reinvention of the town concept? #teamNACF #publicsector #urbanregeneration

This week Stefan Webb, our Senior Partner in Place & Infrastructure, was part of a panel discussion at The Labour Party Conference on 'Getting back to building: a new era for housing delivery'. The answer is devolution, but how can digital and design help? 1. Funding - Funding for housing delivery on sites is complicated enough without the lack of coordination across key government departments such as DfT, DESNZ and DEFRA. A more joined-up approach from government to the timing of funds, criteria, application forms, assessment processes and better re-use of data they already hold about places, can reduce the burden on councils and combined authorities. 2. Data - Government holds or creates lots of data that can be valuable for local areas to understand their locality better and piece together the funding, actors, powers and policies for effective housing delivery. Devolution of data held by central government requires departments to consider opening or devolving data to local areas when procuring services to collect data, but also reconsidering the licensing regimes of data infrastructure organisations such as Ordnance Survey and HM Land Registry, to make it as easy as possible for councils to compile and analyse spatial data. 3. Policy Design - Too often policies designed in central government to be implemented by local authorities do not consider the full journey, through regulators, arms-length bodies and the professionals delivering on the ground. It’s little wonder that so much policy disintegrates with first contact with the system, let alone on the ground, where council officials, property developers, energy suppliers and skills providers try to make sense of often contradictory or conflicting diktats from different departments. Policy for local housing delivery needs to be more thoughtfully, methodically and humanly designed, ideally co-designed with those who will implement it. Missed the panel discussion? Catch up here: https://lnkd.in/ec2NKr4A Learn more about our work in transforming housing and planning: https://lnkd.in/e3R2Vs26

Bayside City Council is currently the epicenter of State Government Planning Intervention with Suburban Rail Loop Authority, #ActivityCentreProgram, and Level Crossing Removal Project. Following the release of the SRL Precinct Directions there appears to be a strong focus on maximise built form outcomes with limited regards for the impact on the community. Any approach to high quality planning outcomes needs to have regard to those who live in that location, not just about those future residents; providing community infrastructure that does not cost shift and place a financial burden on local government and communities; understanding of the building industry and the ability to deliver housing outcomes in what is highly taxed and financially burdened. Engagement is critical to ensure the local context and community expectations is not lost in a centralised planning approach being delivered by the State Government. https://lnkd.in/gz-p4Q3r

State-Assessed Planning Pathway: Kanwal Oasis Caravan Park The former NSW Government initiated the state-assessed planning pathways program in 2022 to deliver a strategic approach to land use planning in areas with high potential for meeting NSW housing targets and maximising community benefit. Being the largest consolidated site within Kanwal on the Central Coast, 'Oasis Caravan Park' was selected by the NSW for accelerated rezoning. The site has a land area spanning almost 54,000 sqm and has been operating as a caravan park since the 1960s. With the site already benefiting from a low-density residential land use, the intent of the rezoning proposal is to enable intensified urban development, including height limits ranging from 12, 18 and 42 metres to accommodate over 650 apartments. If approved, this rezoning will meet the local demand for residential housing in an establish Central Coast market, which in turn will decrease the pressure on prime environmental, agricultural or otherwise constrained land located further away from local centres and infrastructure for rezoning and subdivision. Don't miss out on other local rezoning proposals. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gzNEX4k5

State-Assessed Planning Pathway: Kanwal Oasis Caravan Park The former NSW Government initiated the state-assessed planning pathways program in 2022 to deliver a strategic approach to land use planning in areas with high potential for meeting NSW housing targets and maximising community benefit. Being the largest consolidated site within Kanwal on the Central Coast, 'Oasis Caravan Park' was selected by the NSW for accelerated rezoning. The site has a land area spanning almost 54,000 sqm and has been operating as a caravan park since the 1960s. With the site already benefiting from a low-density residential land use, the intent of the rezoning proposal is to enable intensified urban development, including height limits ranging from 12, 18 and 42 metres to accommodate over 650 apartments. If approved, this rezoning will meet the local demand for residential housing in an establish Central Coast market, which in turn will decrease the pressure on prime environmental, agricultural or otherwise constrained land located further away from local centres and infrastructure for rezoning and subdivision. Don't miss out on other local rezoning proposals. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gaRbF-St PROPERTIED

Do you have any buildings on your site that may benefit from the In Other Relevant Building Credit for Community Infrastructure Levy? Take a look at our quick guide below to see how it could benefit you or give one of our experts a call to discuss. 01342 840002 [email protected] #InOtherRelevantBuildingCredit #CIL #communityinfrastructurelevy #planningobligations #townplanning #propertydevelopment #housing #S106Management https://lnkd.in/ejT9jXY6

A freeze on development charges, as supported by Sean Fraser, aims to accelerate housing construction, making it more affordable and accessible for families. By reducing costs for developers, the initiative encourages the creation of much-needed housing units, particularly rentals. This could help address the housing crisis, improve supply, and support growing communities. While cities like Hamilton face challenges in adjusting their budgets, the long-term benefits of increased housing options can lead to more vibrant, inclusive, and affordable urban spaces.