Shaping Tomorrow
Chairing the annual National Transport and Development (TRICS) conference is a must for the RTPI President.
TRICS is a traffic impact assessment system that has been in place for 21 years (happy birthday TRICS!), is owned by a number of local authorities and has been reviewed and updated regularly.
The annual 2009 conference is an opportunity to consider updates but, more importantly, receive expert papers on "the state of the Nation".
Perhaps unsurprisingly, much of the discussion concerned the links between transport and spatial planning, with concerns at the perceived lack of progress on LDFs (better news on this, as we are catching up on the backlog) and concerns at the possible removal of regional plans which provide an important means for including transport issues.
I’ve been fortunate to visit No 10 on a couple of occasions - once for planning and once for education - but my visit this time was to “celebrate British Architecture” at the invitation of the RIBA.
Many eminent architects were there, a number known to me, and there were excellent presentations by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Culture Ben Bradshaw - one of the South West MPs I have come across in my work on housing, when he wore a different hat.
It was a great event!
I was envious that we have yet to persuade a PM that there should be a No 10 event to "celebrate British planning” - but perhaps that is for a future date?
Amazing developments in East Midlands
My next regional trip was to the East Midlands and it was extremely revealing. RTPI East Midlands has a comparatively small number of members and believes it suffers from “polycentricity” because it stretches from Lincoln and the East Coast to the Peak District and picks up major settlements from Northampton to the Corby-Kettering Growth Area and includes Derby, Leicester and Nottingham!
Stephen Pointer, Treasurer and Head of Policy at Harborough District Council, was my minder and met me at the hotel on Sunday night, in the beautiful town of Market Harborough, for a glass of local ale!
The programme started on Monday with a tour of Leicester City Centre, with Andrew Smith, the Service Director for the Council.
I have done some business in Leicester around 10 years ago and was absolutely staggered at the transformation of the place – iconic retail and theatre buildings, building on areas that were once a road, and fantastic paving and landscaping.
It was clearly an outstanding team effort and congratulations to them all! - especially those who have seen the regeneration through, over many years.
I also visited Prospect Leicestershire, the new economic development company for city and shire, led by an old friend, Dave Hughes.
David, Alan Swales, his ex boss (now working for him!) were responsible for some excellent work in Nottingham Regeneration Company and it is great to see Dave and his team leading economic development so effectively.
Back to Harborough to meet Stephen’s boss Brett Culpin, and John Bloxsom, Head of the city/shire Infrastructure Board, to address good levels of co-operation and also discuss the usual issue of scarce resources.
This was followed by an excellent and invigorating session with the Harborough planners, who were faced with three major wind farm applications, and the need to review their LDF, but were clearly coping with enthusiasm and professionalism.
It was really nice to see such a committed bunch in one of the smaller council planning departments - a credit to the profession.
Dinner with the Regional Management Board (RMB) - with free coffee, because I was wearing my chain!
There was much discussion about the need for more volunteers in the East Midlands area - so any offers are appreciated, please!
Much credit must go to Chair, Chris Perrett, and communications guru, Peter Wilkinson, of Landmark Planning, who is a lively and driven chap in championing planning editing their EM Newsletter.
First thing the following morning, we went by train to Nottingham for the East Midlands Planning Awards, sponsored for many years by Browne Jacobsen lawyers, for which many thanks - especially to MRTPI Steve Coult.
Once again, the “solutions” were excellent, covering urban and rural schemes and a good joint strategy in Northants.
A quick coffee with Sue Slack, our hardworking regional administrator, then off to Planning Aid East Midlands, to meet Peter Orban and two ladies named Emily - volunteers from Rushcliffe Borough Council.
They have done outstanding work with groups of children to explain the principles of planning and are clearly star young planners of the future.
Finally, lunch at Regeneration East Midlands, the employer of the 2010 RTPI EM Branch James Carpenter.
REM has captured a number of important bodies and initiatives under their wing and seems to face similar opportunities to the Branch, to address wider engagement.
Discussions with James, on the way back to Harborough, identified scope for joint activities and pooling of resources this coming year.
James gets married this year - so we will get two for the price of one!
Revisiting schemes set up during the 1980s
My visit to Aylesbury Vale was kindly organised by Jack Peeters, my erstwhile Chief Planning Officer, when I was Director of Technical Services and Planning in the mid to late 80s, and now a good family friend.
He arranged for me to visit schemes that I had been involved in, but more importantly, what had emerged from the foundations that were set back then.
The Council has done a terrific job, restructuring the town centre, and also has an incredible theatre project underway, designed by my longstanding friends, RHWL Architects, who designed the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
I met the CEO, Andrew Grant, who I think said he is an ex-planner, and a much remembered Councillor Mike, together with Jim Cannell and Tony Barker, who are still loyally and effectively serving the planning cause.
I also met the Head of Planning, John Byrne, and Richard Harrington, MD of Aylesbury Vale Advantage, the growth area partnership who I knew, when he worked on East Midlands Development Agency (emda) - and I was involved in some interesting schemes in the East Midlands.
The evening reception and my presentation allowed for a healthy and challenging debate on local authority planner skills and capacity, as viewed by sole trader consultants, most of whom had once worked for the public sector.
It seemed to me that Aylesbury Vale District Council continued to provide an excellent service and it was a pleasure to see it thriving, some 20 years on.
The Three Academics
I begin this new blog with reference to a Presidential initiative – “The 3 Academics” – where following discussions with many regional planners, with the Conservative Opposition and their plans to get rid of regional housing targets, and listening to an excellent presentation by Sheffield University Professor Gordon Dabinett, on cross boundary strategic planning, I felt the need to collect some evidence to “restate the case for strategic planning at the sub national level".
I managed to persuade Gordon, Mike Beazley of Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS), University of Birmingham, and Mark Tewdyr-Jones of University College London (UCL), to assemble a think tank to review international experience.
We met at UCL and, with support from other academics, reached a number of conclusions, including that there had been little research into the subject area although a wide variation in practice.
A first draft paper is now under consideration by the RTPI and makes very interesting reading - and it will, I am sure, influence our emerging RTPI Manifesto.
Greener pastures and green matters
Dr Helen Philips is the Natural England CEO, a very influential and effective lady, who has brought together various bodies to champion the natural environment.
Matt and I met her in her impressive office, overlooking Victoria Street, and agreed to progress common interests in land use planning, health, Green Infrastructure, the Green Belt and Continuing Professional Development. Watch this space!
Grande finale of my presidential presentations
My final presentation of my year to a firm of planning consultants was to NLP Planning, strong supporters of the RTPI Convention, successful award winners and a Leaders winner.
Their office, at the back of King's Cross, now includes a substantial number of MRTPIs - over 50 at the last count - led by Managing Director James Fennell.
They have a wide variety of clients and a very broad knowledge base.
It would seem that they may well become even more involved in RTPI governance and I look forward to such an excellent team, playing a greater part in our affairs.
Living up to our members' expectations
The annual Regions and Nations chairs' get together allows the current and incoming President to reflect on past and future Presidential programmes.
I provide some interesting facts about my experiences, including how difficult, at times, it is to live up to members’ expectations of the President, especially from our younger members.
My last Planning magazine article, as President (RTPI News in Planning, 8 January 2010 - www.rtpi.org.uk/download/8003/RTPI_News_2010january08.pdf), reflects in more detail and I also have some lessons learned that will feature in my final address.
However, I enjoyed the company of all the planners I have met and learnt a great deal from them. Certainly I was able to share with the chairs clear evidence from every visit of Planning – Delivering Solutions and they appear to have enjoyed setting me a few challenges.
The Regions and Nations continue to operate at the frontline of RTPI member relationships, and I commend the chairs for all the hard work they have put in, on behalf of all of us.
PINS Centenary
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) celebrated its 100th Anniversary this year and I was honoured to be invited by CEO Katrine Sporle, to address about 200 planning inspectors in Bristol Cathedral.
I was in good company, alongside Baroness Andrews and Richard McCarthy, and a wonderful former Chief Inspector, Betty Haran.
Between us, we addressed the PINS - past, present and future - and then enjoyed an amazing exhibition in the old Brunel Railway Shed, at Bristol Temple Meads.
The pleasure was extended for me by meeting a number of planners, including three who have been to the same school, Royal Grammar School, Guildford, allowing for some reminiscing about teachers and our alma mater. A great event!
Breakfast at Botolph Lane with the CLG
The second CLG-RTPI major consultants event - this time, a breakfast at Botolph Lane - attended by many of the largest firms' leaders in London, built on the first. Again, it was addressed by Chief Planner Steve Quartermaine, RTPI Directors and myself.
Clearly, closer links are emerging, especially with government, but perhaps the most important initiative concerned support for Sue Percy’s current CPD review.
I must also pay tribute here to Steve, who has not only lifted the profile and importance of planning across departments, but has also been a great champion for the RTPI.
My grateful thanks, Steve! Long may you continue to flourish.
Past Presidents’ glittering dinner
The annual Past Presidents’ dinner is a glittering affair - paid for by them! - to which the current President is always invited.
I met some wonderful planners, who I remember from my youth, such as John Dean, and was also barracked by more recent ones, such as Messrs Goodstadt and Hayes.
It is a privilege to be part of that particular club and I look forward to ones in the future - if I have earned my stripes!
Hitting the headlines in Daily Telegraph
Some of you may have noticed a front page Sunday Telegraph headline, concerning our issues on the Heritage Planning Policy Statement, arranged by Tino and Jamie of our Marketing and Communications Team.
They also managed to get me on to You and Yours to speak to Paul Finch, the new Chair of CABE.
We were told that planners were to be challenged to deliver better designs in town supermarkets, so I joined the debate, with examples of good planning delivering better designs, community engagement and affordable housing.
Quite a robust discussion, but I think he was persuaded that good planning delivered the results he was looking for.
Happy visit down memory lane in Harrogate
It was a special pleasure to revisit Harrogate Borough Council, a previous employer - a trip organised by Stuart Quinn, who, impressively as a planner, now runs the International Conference Centre. He used to work for me as a team leader in DC Planning, then DP Planners, then subsequently Economic Development.
Photo by SIRA Studio.
At a Mayor’s reception, I met Colin Brown, the CPO who followed me, and also Anne, Helen and Tim (now CPO), who have remained with the department doing great work since I left for pastures new.
Photo by SIRA Studio.
It was also a great pleasure to meet John Lovell, my then CEO, who played an important part in my management development, and is now in his 81st year.
We visited schemes that were started some 20 years ago - in particular, the Nidd Gorge Countryside Management Scheme, now run by a Community Trust, which was the first of its kind in the North. It’s always a pleasure to go back to Nidderdale and Betty’s, and I also visited a farmer’s deli on the Yorkshire Showground, giving the supermarkets a run for their money.
Fortunately, Philly and I have stayed in touch many friends from Harrogate, so will continue to return to God’s own country, where also, Alex, our youngest daughter, was born – wonderful place!
Final blog from your 2009 President
This will be my last Blog as your President.
I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing about the wonderful planners I have met during 2009.
Decimated by severe winter weather
The bad weather has caused a number of important stakeholder engagements to be cancelled from my tenure – Planning Officers Society, Town and Country Planning Association, English Heritage, British Waterways and the Local Government Association... but I am sure my successor will follow up these important links.
My apologies, following family crisis
I am sorry these last few blogs have arrived in a rush.
However, some of you may know that a member of my family was unfortunately injured in a bus, when an accident at Clapham Junction, just before Christmas, caused the London bus to turn over.
Although she is on the mend, I fell behind a little with the blogs.
For this, please forgive me.
Network surveys
Good lessons from Network surveys
I have mentioned John Baker’s LDF Task Force and the DM and DP Network surveys that will inform the RTPI Manifesto.
The Network manager Rhian Brimble - one of a fantastic team, led by Trish Cookson - also arranged seminars on the subjects at PINS, and I attended them both. The first was chaired by Janet Askew, the DM Network chair, the second by John Baker.
I won’t steal their thunder, as a full report will soon follow.
However, needless to say, some very good lessons were offered on how to improve our practice.
My thanks to those who contributed to two very good discussions.
Today's and Tomorrow's Leaders
On Monday 18th January 2010, Charles Veale has organised a special session - sponsored by Drivers Jonas - for all the winners of the Today’s and Tomorrow’s Leaders awards.
We intend to discuss leadership in planning, and sponsor Peter Wilbraham and I will seek to extract characteristics from those who you have recognised.
I am sure Charles will write them up for the Planning magazine's RTPI News pages.
The awards have seemed to find favour with many, and disabused those who suggest that the planning profession does not have confidence in its people and what planning does.
Affordable housing
I am also presenting to a seminar that week on Planning for Housing, organised by one of my favourite Registered Social Landlords, L & Q - London and Quadrant housing association.
Looking ahead to the General Assembly
The General Assembly - the last I shall chair - will include what I am sure will be a healthy discussion on the emerging Manifesto.
Issues include:
- the need for an English Spatial Plan, learning lessons from those in the devolved nations;
- whether we need the many Local Authority strategies, or whether the LDF might demonstrably pull them together;
- the extent to which a focus on pre-application deliberation might improve the speed with which decisions are taken and other important points.
There will be other opportunities for members to contribute to this highly important document, setting a planning agenda for a new government of whatever persuasion.
It will then be my great pleasure to hand over the chain of office to Ann Skippers, the RTPI's new President for 2010.
Ann, it will be an exhausting year but - if it is anything like mine - hugely rewarding, demonstrating the skills and commitments of RTPI officers and members.
For my part - and here I am especially grateful to my lovely, patient and hugely supportive wife, Philippa, and family - it has been a privilege and a pleasure.
Thank you to you all.
Martin Willey
North of the Border to bonnie Scotland
Back to bonnie Scotland and a flight to Aberdeen to be met by my minder, GA and Audit Committee member, Alistair Stark, who kindly chauffeured me to my hotel.
The following morning, we were joined by Richard Bush, a senior member of the local North East Scotland chapter to visit Aberdeenshire Council.
Christine Gore, Director; Robert Gray, Head of Policy; and Bruce Stewart, Planning Manager DM, took me through the counter cyclical conditions, where the continuing supply of North Sea Oil had sustained the sub regional economy in a way not experienced anywhere else in the country.
Nonetheless, some savings have had to be made, but there was clear progress on their Strategic and Local Development Plans, the former of which have just been approved.
Discussions with recently qualified young planners on the team followed, with clear suggestions for the enhancement of the APC process, passed onto the team at Botolph Lane.
Photo by Charles Strang
However, there was “reluctant” agreement that the high standards, expected by the RTPI, reflected the importance of professional qualifications and a very good idea emerged - that of offering advice to employers of licentiates, of the support that was required to complete the APC process.
Aberdeen School of Planning
We moved to the Aberdeen School of Planning, recently RTPI accredited, to meet lecturers and students.
Top of the list was the sad state of the job market and the need to try to retain our future planners through internships and the like.
The RTPI PIWP services provide more help in this respect and see also my article in Planning Magazine on 5th November.
Aberdeen City Council followed with the discussion focusing on progress under the 2006 Scottish Act.
Led by Dr Margaret Bochel, Head of Planning and Infrastructure - with David Jennings, Manager of the City and Shire Strategic Planning Authority also in attendance - it was clear that reductions in resources and in planning applications made the process of increasing efficiency less than easy, although the Strategic Plan for the sub region had recently received Ministerial approval.
We agreed that the RTPI DM and DP Network surveys, if replicated by local evaluation, could provide data against which to press the case to sustain skills and resources to accelerate economic recovery.
Certainly, the quality of planning outcomes was very clear to see in the City, and we secured some good local publicity to this effect.
Also, I was shown some excellent examples of design and historic building refurbishment and was able to issue a press release praising the planners for their success in creating attractive places in the City.
RTPI Scotland Conference
Finally, I addressed the Annual RTPI Scotland Conference, Delivering Development: Planning in Scotland, well organised by Veronica and the Conferences team. Presentations covered the impact of cities, National Schemes, Transport, Water and Waste Infrastructure, Ports, Green Infrastructure, Shared Streets, Health and Place making.
The Minister, Stewart Stevenson, who I had met on a previous visit at the Scottish Awards, had clearly hardened his view regarding the need for planning to deliver results to revitalise the economy.
In brief discussion afterwards, we agreed that there was much evidence to show the beneficial impact of planning and we also discussed the positive impact of planning consultants to economic and sustainable development.
NAPE Conference
My trip had been hugely enjoyable but my train trip to NAPE was delayed by three hours - so I arrived in Newark well after midnight!
The NAPE conference, chaired excellently by Sue Taylor - many thanks to her predecessor Lesley Smith for putting enforcement on the RTPI map! - covered a wide range of practice with some excellent examples of the removal of unauthorised development, some of which are shown here.
Even though the profession as a whole is sometimes measured by Here come the planners, the public face of our work relies on proper enforcement or the planning game will be held in disrepute!
I believe that there are votes in enforcement of planning decisions and we should try to make sure that adequate resources are made available to continue to do it properly.
The conference was held at the beautiful offices of Newark Council and I am particularly grateful to Zoe Fuller for her excellent organisation.
My return by train was uneventful and on time, but quite nice to put my feet up.
Interesting Facts
There are a number of interesting facts regarding my visits...
- over 200 thank you letters;
- 33 visits of which 13 have been urban, seven rural and 13 more specifically to individual Planning Schools and consultants.
However, I reckon I have walked around 200 miles and I do get footsore!
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