In the March 2010 Open Source Green Paper, the conservatives suggested ideas for shaking up the planning system – power should be devolved to the lowest level rather than targets set by central Government. Upon coming into power, the Coalition Government carried out a number of actions to forward this agenda, including the abolition of regional spatial strategies (meaning that there are now no regional or local targets for new housing).

This leaves local authorities free to choose their own targets – already reducing many thousands of houses from the quotas. The Government has signalled that the future of planning is in the hands of local people who should determine the direction of growth within local communities (tax incentives will be offered to help achieve this). Planning officials will be under the control of local politicians who will determine the future vision, shape and direction of growth in their own communities.

This seminar will explore the changes which have occurred during the first year of the Coalition Government and how these are affecting local decisions. There will be case studies and delegates should bring their own examples for discussion.

Speaker: David Warden MSc, an independent planning consultant and Principal Planning Officer in Development Management for a north London Borough. David has planning experience in both the private and public sectors across a broad range of residential, commercial, mixed use and waste development.