Localism in London: The Future of Planning and Regeneration

Anna TurleyFuture of London27 March 2012

The ContextLocalism agenda

• Fundamental change in the relationship between citizens and the state.

• Individuals and communities to have more power and responsibility.

Economic climate• Stagnating growth and macro-economic uncertainty• Local authority cuts

Planning transformation• Greater democratic and local control• Rebalancing system in favour of sustainable development• Delivering a simpler and more effective system• Incentives over targets

The Research Question:

Will localism help build better places?

• interviews with senior practitioners within London Boroughs and the GLA• research seminar with over 25 participants from local authority planning and regeneration departments• a survey of 48 senior local authority planning and regeneration officers• case studies from across London

London is unique• Global city – economic position & international

networks• Mayorality, GLA, Mayoral Development

Corporations & Pan-London Enterprise Partnership• 33 local authorities with separate planning,

education and health functions.• Most transient and diverse communities in UK

with high inequality• Complex array of voluntary, community

and neighbourhood groups

What does localism mean here?

• 75% of London regeneration practitioners surveyed believed that the Government did not have a coherent approach to localism

• Fewer than 10% felt that the localism agenda provided them with the tools they need to raise standards in planning.

However…

The Findings 1:Regional Government has been consolidated and strengthened•GLA has absorbed functions previously undertaken by quangos

•Range of new initiatives have been launched: London-wide Enterprise PartnershipOlympic Mayoral Development CorporationEnterprise Zone in East London.

•London needs to continually improve its strategic leadership to maintain its position as a global economic powerhouse.

•But – got to be in partnership with boroughs – localism gives them significant opportunities too

The Findings 2

Localism will encourage a multitude of funding and delivery approaches

• 80% thought General Power of Competence could be useful or very useful

• over half are planning to engage in innovative activity to help stimulate growth and regeneration in their area

• Less than half looking at other forms of fundraising to deliver infrastructure eg. prudential borrowing

• Very positive around HRA: predict income and borrow against future returns, develop their own land, and enter into more development joint ventures.

• impressive 94% thought that CIL may be useful, very useful or extremely useful in regenerating their local areas

The Findings 3The localism agenda could be enhanced by

greater Borough collaboration • not be seen as a zero sum game between regional and local

government, or between Boroughs themselves• 80% of practitioners surveyed confirmed that they were looking into

the prospect of working across boundaries to deliver regeneration• ‘revolving infrastructure funds’ that would cover sub-regions of

London (pooling CIL, HRA or NHB)• Boroughs more sceptical about incentives such as NHB and

community powers such as Neighbourhood planning, Community Right to Build and Assets of Community Value (all less than 10%)

• Boroughs will have a key role to play in supporting the development of neighbourhood plans, building local capacity for participation, and encouraging a positive approach to development.

Conclusions• Strategic role essential, but more clarity needed on

how Enterprise Partnership will work and the expectation of more Enterprise Zones across London

• Use of powers will vary – capacity and appetite for risk - Boroughs need to be ambitious and innovative

• Localism agenda provides a number of opportunities for, and even necessitates, greater collaboration between the tiers of Government that run London, and the communities and businesses that they serve

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