The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has called for significant reforms to Britain’s planning system, warning that current resources and structures are insufficient to meet the government’s ambitious housing and infrastructure targets.
In response to the government’s upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the RTPI has outlined several crucial proposals to strengthen the planning system’s effectiveness. The organization, which represents 27,000 planning professionals, emphasizes that while planning has been prioritized in government policy, practical support is lacking.
Research reveals a concerning 16% decline in public spending on planning between 2009 and 2022. The RTPI warns that this underinvestment could result in missing out on over £70 billion in potential value, highlighting the urgent need for system-wide reform.
Among the RTPI’s key proposals is the creation of statutory Chief Planning Officer positions. Currently, only 23% of Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) have planning heads reporting directly to their Chief Executive, limiting planners’ influence in key decisions. The Institute argues that establishing statutory roles would ensure planning expertise is represented at the highest levels of local government.
Dr. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, described the current moment as a “once-in-a-decade chance” to reshape planning policy effectively. “Planning and the professional work of our members has rightly been given the recognition it deserves in tackling the country’s housing and infrastructure challenges,” she said.
The Institute’s recommendations also include developing a comprehensive strategy for planning system resources and capacity, addressing the chronic understaffing of local planning teams. Additionally, the RTPI advocates for including a statutory purpose of planning in the legislation to improve public understanding and reduce misinformation at local planning committees.
The organization has also cautioned against adding new responsibilities to local planning authorities without proper funding, emphasizing that any additional duties must be adequately resourced.
As the government continues to push its “get Britain building” agenda, the RTPI’s proposals represent a critical intervention in the debate over how to achieve national housing and infrastructure goals while ensuring sustainable, well-planned development for communities across the country.
