Newsroom

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

A debate on the biggest ever shake-up of the planning system will take place in Bristol next Wednesday, as the British Property Federation (BPF) continues its series of regional Planning for Localism seminars.

The event, to be hosted by law firm Burges Salmon at One Glass Wharf in Temple Quay, will discuss what localism will mean for development in Bristol, 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.

Chair of the event 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 West of England Enterprise Zone, Local Enterprise Partnerships and the National Planning Policy Framework, considering:

•    Will these proposals work in Bristol?
•    Will neighbourhood plans be good or bad for growth?
•    Can lessons be learnt about collaborative working in the Local Enterprise Partnerships process?
•    What is community value? Can it be proved or quantified?

Zoe Willcox, service director of planning and sustainable development for Bristol City Council, said: “The Localism Bill, via Neighbourhood Planning, is designed to create conditions for communities to welcome growth by giving local people a real voice in shaping development in their area.  Bristol has three separate communities where the new approach is being piloted and these front-runners will be the real test of how effective this new approach will be.”

Gary Soloman, partner at Burges Salmon, who will be speaking at the event said: “While the Localism Bill does not appear to be the ‘Nimby's charter’ that was once feared, there is a tension between providing communities with a strong say in planning their areas and the desire to drive through development to boost the economy.

“Success will depend upon balancing the requirements in the Bill with the other measures Central Government are progressing in the planning arena."

Peter Jackson, Director of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Localism Bill includes one of the biggest shake-ups of the planning system ever known, giving neighbourhoods greater ability to shape the place in which they live. The challenge for the Government is to balance this with the need for the new planning system to deliver the economic growth that the country needs.”

ENDs

Notes to editors:

1. Planning for Localism – Bristol takes place on Wednesday 1 June 2011, 16.30 – 19.00 at Burges Salmon, One Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX. If you would like to attend, contact Louise Bates at lbates@bpf.org.uk