Planners show resourcefulness and energy in face of economic adversity

Planning, 18 July 2008

Half my presidential year has already passed. With two out of four overseas events behind me, I have turned my attention to the visits to the RTPI regions and nations. I have been struck by the enthusiasm and energy with which the people I have met view the role and influence of planning. This includes both elected members and chartered planners.

Take Wigan Council. The situation in the town looked bleak. Cotton manufacture had ceased after more than 100 years of production and local pits had closed. But councillors and officers, working closely with the development industry, have promoted regeneration schemes that have been implemented and are visible for all to see and enjoy. Further schemes are afoot, buoyed up by past successes.

The adaptability of planners, which enables them to face new challenges, has also impressed me. One planner I met knew little of major infrastructure projects but had quickly become an expert when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was directed through his area. Elsewhere, two fairly small North West districts learned to work together when a 400ha brownfield site straddling their boundaries became available for redevelopment.

The future of planning at regional level in England continues to be unsettling as proposals for the sub-national review are debated. I have recently met planners from both regional assemblies and regional development agencies (RDAs). The assembly planners face an uncertain future, but those already employed in RDAs expressed confidence that the merged authorities will work effectively to produce integrated spatial strategies.

The possible leakage of planners from assemblies concerns me, as they take up employment elsewhere rather than wait for the establishment of the new arrangements. Strategic planners are a relatively small group in the profession as a whole and any loss from public service at regional level is regrettable.

The first week in July saw the diamond jubilee of the Housing Design Awards, sponsored by the DCLG, RIBA, the National House-Building Council and the RTPI in partnership with the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.

The awards were established as part of a drive to rebuild life in England after the Second World War. Today, at their heart is the creation of places where people want to live - healthier, greener and safer communities. In the current difficult housing market, it was particularly good to witness the continuing partnership between government, the house building industry and the professional institutions come together to celebrate the vision.

Separate awards are made to schemes that are built and projects that have gained planning permission but have not yet been built. The architects, masterplanners, house builders and developers who won awards shared their accolades with the planners from the local authorities involved. What a delight it was to see representatives of each sector on the stage together, with a certificate awarded to each.

One project award went to the Tribeca development in Liverpool. Adjacent to the Anglican cathedral, it proposes its own contemporary version of ecclesiastical shape and massing. When completed, its cathedral-like windows and sandstone frontage are likely to have an immense impact on Great George Street and help with the enhancement of the neighbourhood.

The overall prize went to Chimney Pot Park in Salford, where developer Urban Splash has renovated several rows of two-up, two-down Victorian terraces by putting living areas on the first floor and in roof space and adding outdoor areas that incorporate parking beneath. This scheme is seen as a beacon that signifies returning confidence in the Salford housing market renewal area.

Last week's Planning Convention was the major event of the year. Its programme focused on rapid rate of change in neighbourhoods, cities, regions and nation. The 700 participants also had time to reflect on the changing role of planners nationally and globally.

Janet O'Neill is RTPI president. The past ten years' Housing Design Award scheme winners can be viewed at www.designforhomes.org/hda.