What Hazel Blears says is fine, but it is not connected to either government action nor the planning process: ‘the planning process must change to reflect twenty-first century realities and become more supportive of high-quality design, more democratic and greener.’ But the reality is that decision-making is being made more remote, more prescriptive, more concerned with quantity and neglectful of design values, infrastructure and democratic procedures. Major projects may no longer be subject to public scrutiny and Policy Planning ‘Guidance’ has become ‘Statement’ with the force of diktat.
Blears goes on: “as we look to build 3m new homes by 2020, good design has never been more important” - but who decided we need 3m homes and why do they need to be largely in the South East while housing in the North is being demolished? County Councils have not been able to contest housing targets and even the South East England Regional Assembly’s thinly democratic decisions have been tempered.
Design is not well-handled at planning meetings, which are almost totally concerned with purely practical and quantifiable factors. CABE, who were hosting Hazel Blears’ speech, has been consistently critical of the appalling design standards in new house building throughout the country - in survey after survey.
CABE reference: http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=183
There is an interesting reference to Planning Aid: “Ordinary local people need a proper say. So I’m pleased to confirm a boost to Planning Aid that will help them find a voice. Our total support for Planning Aid will rise to £3.2m for the coming financial year - a boost of £1.5m - with more to come over the next two years. I hope this will help Planning Aid develop new and stronger partnerships with other organisations who help people have a say.”
Has any civic society managed to obtain and use Planning Aid successfully? website: http://www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk/
