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Planning for Growth? What the Localism Bill will mean for Manchester

A debate on the biggest ever shake-up of the planning system will take place in Manchester on Monday, as the British Property Federation continues its series of regional Planning for Localism seminars.

The event, chaired by Turley Associates chief executive Rob Lucas, will discuss what localism will mean for development in Manchester, and how the Localism Bill and its provisions can be used to ensure the economic health of the city.

It will also be a chance to discuss whether the new growth agenda is compatible with localism, and how businesses can get involved in neighbourhood planning.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “We’ve expressed our support for the broad objectives of the Localism Bill, but there are still a number of grey areas to be worked through, particularly around the role of local authorities under the new proposals, the mechanisms of neighbourhood planning, both urban and rural, and in particular, how to ensure that the Localism Bill is indeed a catalyst for growth.”

The event will also be an opportunity to find out more about the recently created Manchester Airport Enterprise Zone, on which work got underway this week, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the role it will play in the planning system. Other issues to be discussed include assets of community value and the National Planning Policy Framework, considering:

• Will these proposals work in Manchester?
• Will neighbourhood plans be good or bad for growth?
• Can lessons be learnt about collaborative working from the Business Improvement Districts process?
• What is community value? Can it be proved or quantified?

Richard Lloyd, Partner, Eversheds, comments: “While the Localism Bill is not the "Nimby's charter" that was once feared, there are tensions within Government between providing communities with a strong say in planning their areas, and the desire to drive through development quickly to boost the economy.

"Success will depend upon Councils reducing uncertainty and providing a platform for collaborative working between developers and communities - and Manchester's record of innovation and drive over the years means the city will be as well-placed as anyone to use the system to deliver growth."

Peter Nears, Strategic Planning Director, Peel Holdings, warns: “The Government’s Plan for Growth is certainly saying the right things, but the question remains whether the planning system will be able to deliver the new agenda.”

The seminar will also hear from Mark Waite, Strategic Planning Director, Bloor Homes, and Julie Grail, Chief Executive, British BIDs.

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Notes to editors:

1.       Planning for Localism – Manchester takes place on Monday 11 April, 5.00pm-7.00pm at Eversheds LLP, 70 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester, M1 5ES. If you would like to attend, contact Alex Williamson at awilliamson@bpf.org.uk

2.       The seminars will also take place in Bristol (1 June) and Leeds (13 September)

3.       For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Patrick Clift, Media and Public Affairs Manager, at pclift@bpf.org.uk, or on 07834 439 505

4.       Follow the BPF on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BritProp

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