Looks like a week of planning announcements lie ahead. Let’s hope this is about resetting the planning system so it’s focused on creating affordable, inclusive, sustainable & beautiful communities rather than further deregulation.

THREAD 1/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53625960

One of the best things about my time at @theTCPA was learning about the visionary origins of the planning system, but it feels very distant to the system we have today. 2/

The planning system originally grew out of a powerful recognition that the places in which we live have a huge impact on the quality of our lives – and a collective view that, as a society, we should aspire to create places in which everyone can thrive. 3/

Planning evolved as a result of the public health movement over a century ago. Improved planning & better housing have long been identified as essential for improving the health of communities,reducing health inequalities & cutting long-term healthcare costs for the taxpayer. 4/

However, over several decades we’ve seen how an inspired vision can turn into nightmarish procedural complexity.

We’ve also seen the impact of cuts to local authority planning departments and most recently the results of permitted development. 5/

Planning has become more deregulated and less about meeting people’s needs for homes, green spaces, and attractive towns, cities and villages. It is clear that planning must change. 6/

We need to set a positive, forward looking agenda for how planning can provide the right mix of housing, employment, accessible local amenities from play spaces and allotments to health centres. 7/

That means rebuilding a fit for purpose planning system with people at its heart and a strong focus on the affordability and quality of our new homes as well as quantity. 8/