T1: Responsive Planning Practices

The Government has confirmed its commitment to growth across every sector including housing supply through proposed incentives that include reforms to the planning system, and initiatives set out in the Housing Strategy. It has also stressed the need for a responsive planning system that does all it can to prevent development from stalling, such as through measures such as those set out in the Growth & Infrastructure Bill.

These practice notes are primarily aimed at local authorities and their private and public sector partners in situations where continuing market and funding uncertainties have created challenges in negotiating or re-negotiating development schemes that are viable, deliverable, and meet local aspirations and policies, and where the parties involved agree that they would like to find a solution if possible.

The practice notes draw on the ATLAS portfolio of projects, current practice in some local authorities and recent planning decisions. They provide some approaches, principles and learning points that have been used to resolve issues in a collaborative and solution-focussed manner. However, these are not exhaustive, and it is anticipated that local authorities and their partners will adapt the advice and examples to meet their local circumstances and challenges 

It is important to note that while adopting a positive and well-managed approach to negotiations is a key ingredient of achieving a good outcome for all, in itself, it may not guarantee that a mutually acceptable solution will be found. 

This Topic Paper contains the following sub-sections and more detailed information is available in the associated download documents listed below.