The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has always believed that the planning system was invented to help provide a good home, for everyone, in a healthy, thriving place. However, they also believe that over the last few decades something has gone badly wrong.
The TCPA thinks that instead of having people’s welfare as its priority, the current English planning system puts economic growth above all else. To help realign this economic focus the TCPA has launched a radical new manifesto that seeks to put people back at the heart of planning.
Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, Head of Policy for the TCPA, Dr Hugh Ellis said:
“We all care about the quality of our lives and condition of our communities. People need decent healthcare, schools, jobs, public transport, green spaces, locally grown food, low-carbon energy, affordable homes which are accessible and have enough space for kids to play, a creative culture, vibrant sports areas and the arts. These are all things that make life worth living. These are the things that all sections of society should be able to enjoy as a matter of course regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. These are the foundations of the good society. These are the things that planning can, and should, make happen.”
“As we strive to put people back at the heart of planning, we are inviting organisations and individuals who, like us, think that the aim of planning should be to improve people’s lives, to sign up to support the manifesto.”
The Planning4People Manifesto, which forms part of a year long collaboration between the TCPA and the Webb Memorial Trust sets out what they believe planning should be. It highlights, in particular, the need to place people at the heart of the planning process and to emphasise social justice as a key outcome.
The manifesto also includes a number of key ‘asks’ of government, including the establishment of new national minimum standards for housing with mandatory minimum standards for accessibility and space.