Learning Lessons: A History of Bad Planning Policy

With a new administration in power, and planning reform firmly on the agenda, Sam Watling writes about what we can learn from the long history of Britain’s planning policy. Since 1947, and the passage of the Town and Country Planning Act, repeated attempts at centralisation and formalisation of planning policy has been met with fierce resistance. From Wilson to Cameron, substantial reforms to how and where Britain builds houses has been continually recognised, yet continually curtailed.

Lord Charles Banner KC writes in his foreword: “Fresh thought on this issue is required, particularly on the centre-right, and this intelligent paper is a welcome early contribution.”

We recommend:

• Central Government Action: Implement reforms directly through the central government for faster and more sustainable changes, which override local opposition.

• Incentivising Local Authorities: Provide benefits to local governments and residents from new developments, leveraging increased land value from planning permissions.

• Focused Development Projects: Use development corporations to override local restrictions in select high-wage urban areas.

• Proposed Policies: Community Land Auctions, Homes for All, and balloted estate regenerations to ensure all stakeholders benefit from housing developments.