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Developers want greater planning focus on economic benefit of new schemes

The British Property Federation (BPF) will today respond to a government planning consultation calling for greater weight to be put on the economic benefit new developments can offer communities.

Developers believe that promoting sustainable economic development should be a strong priority, given the effects of the recession. There are clear benefits for society through renewing and developing new business space and homes to support an expanding population.

The BPF is concerned that planners will not pay enough attention to the merits of planning applications that create new jobs and economic growth.

In its response, the BPF says that planning policy statement 4 (PPS4) does not place enough emphasis on the benefits of economic development.

The new PPS4 has been combined with PPS6 (which focus on town centre policy); but having combined them, the economic focus is not strong enough. Former Treasury economist Kate Barker had previously called for the old PPS4 to be updated in her review of the land use planning system in 2006.

“Bringing these two documents together makes sense, but the promotion of economic development must not be watered down,” said Jonathan Seager, BPF assistant director for planning.

The property industry is calling for a strong and unambiguous message to the planning system that sustainable economic development must be promoted, currently this new draft policy fails to achieve this.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF, said:

“A good planning system must take account of the economic benefits of development. While we are very supportive of moves to streamline planning policy and reduce the number of statements, it appears that the benefits of economic development have become lost. Without it, proposed developments, which could bring jobs and investment to the local area, may not go ahead.”

Sue Willcox, head of town planning at Sainsbury’s and chair of BPF’s planning committee, said:

“We hope that the government takes up our recommendations to emphasise the economic benefits of development in the planning system. Planners must consider the benefits a development can bring, in terms of economic growth. In the current recession, it is important that we do not forget about the positive impact good quality development can bring to a local area.”

Andrew Teacher, Head of media, British Property Federation
Tel: 020 7802 0113 (direct)
Mob: 07968 12 4545

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BPF response to PPS4