PLANNING

Austerity undermines planners ability to 'serve public interest' - report

Government cuts have eroded the ability of planners to think strategically and to ‘serve the public interest,’ a report has claimed.

Government cuts have eroded the ability of planners to think strategically and to ‘serve the public interest,' a report has claimed.

A study, based on focus groups with 50 planning professionals from across the UK, concluded that under-resourcing and reforms that have undermined planning's strategic role had relegated it to a reactive, regulatory function in councils.

Published by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the report concluded that austerity had created a ‘box-ticking culture that has closed off the space many planners traditionally used for reflection, professional discretion and proactive planning'.

The study said this made it harder to undertake the long-term strategic thinking and professional discretion that planners feel is needed to deliver the public interest.

RTPI chief executive Victoria Hills said: 'Local planning authorities have demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of austerity by becoming more streamlined and efficient.

'While planners in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland remain confident overall, planning in England does face some serious challenges.'

‘Places where authorities put planning at the heart of their corporate strategy are successful places to live, yet our research uncovers a prevailing sense that local authority planners face huge challenges to their ability to plan effectively in the public interest.'

For an article by Ms Hills click here

PLANNING

Proud to serve the sector

By Louise Gittins | 03 July 2025

Writing in LGA Conference week, newly re-elected chair Cllr Louise Gittins reflects on the Government’s key announcements and says council leaders must have ...

PLANNING

Common sense Reform

By Paul Marinko | 03 July 2025

Reform UK is taking a measured approach to implementing change as the party takes charge of Durham Council, the authority’s new leader tells Paul Marinko.

PLANNING

Could they be a contender?

By Jack Shaw | 03 July 2025

If Reform-controlled authorities prove dysfunctional or obstructive will that erode trust in both devolution and local government? Can their administrations ...

PLANNING

Navigating local government reorganisation

By Paul Clarke | 02 July 2025

Paul Clarke shares his advice on negotiating the challenges of local government reorganisation.

Popular articles by William Eichler