Local authority direct provision of housing
At the end of 2016 the NPF, in partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute commissioned Professor Janice Morphet and Dr Ben Clifford of the Bartlett School of Planning at University College London to undertake research into the current activity within local authorities in England to directly commission houses. The objectives of the research were:
- To promote greater understanding of existing and emerging local authority practices in providing housing, including policy objectives, business models and funding methods
- Assist local authorities in providing more housing through a range of examples in practice, so supporting an increase in housing supply
- Where possible, assess the number and proportion of dwellings being provided through these methods
- Consider the relative role of planning in these initiatives, including by the extent to which planners are aware of and engaged in these practices, how these local authority methods of providing housing can be incorporated into planning evidence and supply side calculations and if there is innovative planning practice that could be shared more widely
- provide government including HM Treasury, local authorities and other relevant bodies with evidence to undertake effective policy making
- enable the planning profession to understand the mechanisms available to translate planning permissions into delivery of housing
- identify the extent to which a cross-sectoral approach is adopted that engages other sectors, especially communities and business
The project has attracted significant interest and the final report was launched at the meeting of the Forum on 4 December 2017 at ARUP’s offices.
The final report can be downloaded here.
The Future Planner Bursary Scheme
The Royal Town Planning Institute has set up a Future Planner Bursary Scheme to respond to the falling number of students studying for a Master’s degree in planning with a view to encouraging individuals to choose planning as a career and to persuade Governments across the UK of the importance of a well-resourced planning system.
The Forum continues to contribute towards the RTPI Future Planner Bursary Scheme and is a bronze sponsor for the year 2017-18.
