A UK Spatial Planning Framework

Will FrenchRTPI

National Planning Forum20 June 2006

Spatial Planning in the UK

Regional Spatial Strategies

X No Development Framework for England (but TCPA is calling for one)

Northern Ireland Spatial Strategy 2001 Wales Spatial Plan 2004 National Planning Framework for Scotland 2004

X No National Spatial Strategy for the UK European Spatial Development Perspective

The case for a UKSPF (1)• Many National government policies have spatial

implications – Health, Skills, Higher Education

• DCLG Core Cities Work

• Barker 2 and calls for National Policies for Major Infrastructure Projects

• Broad Government Objectives need reconciling eg:– PSA2 Target to reduce the persistent gap in growth rates

between regions

– Sustainable Communities Plan proposing growth areas in the ‘Greater South East’

– ? Availability of water supplies for Thames Gateway ?

The case for a UKSPF (2)

• Planning policies and initiatives are based on existing administrative areas.

BUT

• There is no recognition of functional entities that transcend administrative boundaries

• So how can sectoral policies such as network planning or a national transport strategy be integrated?

Developing a UK Spatial Structure

Cecilia Wong and colleagues from Liverpool University have examined data resources to develop conceptual maps of the current spatial structure of the UK.

Key elements:• commuting distances and times• migration flows• connectivity.

Commuting Distances

Inter-District Migration: 2000-2001

1. Gross flow 50 or more

2. Gross flow 100 or more

3. Gross flow 250 or more

4. Gross flow 500 or more

5. Gross flow 1000 or more

• Spatial Unit: Local Authority area (or equivalent) in UK, except NI

• Depicts housing market areas.

• Identifiable spatial clusters around major urban centres

The ImplicationsMajor UK functional areas can be examined and understood for:

• Their internal dynamics and change drivers:– demographics: age structure and population change etc.

– socio-cultural factors: level of deprivation and quality of life.

– knowledge economy and business competitiveness: skills,

– qualifications, industrial structure and research capacity

– environmental conditions: transport modes, air emissions and resources

• The Spatial implications of broad Gov’t objectives – PSA2, Sustainable Development Strategy.

• Relationships between existing administrative regions & Core Cities

Next Steps

• RTPI Planning Convention – launch of the full Liverpool Report (contains 50 +

maps)

• Remainder 2006:– Development of Scenarios– Dissemination amongst wider interest groups