PAS 2025 Conference Main Room Master Deck Web.pptx

Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Anniversary Conference Feb 2025. Slides from sessions in main room.

1. PAS 20 th Anniversary Conference Navigating the Future of Planning Services Birmingham 27 th /28th February 2025 www.pas.gov.uk WiFi : MP_Conference PW: Conference2022@MP

2. Welcome & introduction to day 1 Anna Rose Head of the Planning Advisory Service

3. Conference Programme Day 1 - P lanning reform & setting the foundations for change This morning Planning Birmingham’s Future – Sarah Scannell Asst Director Planning, Birmingham City Council Keynote Address: Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing Break (11:15)

4. The Government’s vison for Planning – Joanna Averley, Chief Planner, MHCLG PAS Support 2025 and beyond – Richard Crawley, PAS Programme Manager Lunch 12:45pm Conference Programme

5. 15:20 - Seminars repeat Plenary session: Seminar lessons learned - PAS Team An inspector’s view on the reforms – David Morgan, Professional Lead, PINS 17:35 Finish for the day – hotel Conference Programme

6. Planning Birmingham’s Future: Challenges, Changes, and Opportunities Sarah Scannell Assistant Director, Planning, Birmingham City Council

7. THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM

8. Forecast population growth 134,000 (2042) Need for 150,000 new homes 35% affordable requirement Local Plan Review – adoption 2027ish! Net zero by 2030 THE CITY OF GROWTH

9. C England's best-connected city 850,000 people 30 minutes by public transport from centre 90% of the UK is within a 4-hour drive UK’s third largest airport outside of London HS2 to London in 38 minutes THE CITY OF CONNECTIONS

10. Youngest European city with 36% under 25 Super-diverse with 51% population from ethnic minority backgrounds. 90,000 students, 5 universities 20 universities within one-hour producing 60,000 STEM graduates p.a. Most  popular city  for London leavers THE CITY OF TALENT

11. 7,000 start-ups every year and fastest growing tech centre 133 FDI projects creating 7,581 new jobs (2023/24) Office space half the cost of London Higher demand for Grade-A offices than any other regional city £1BN Enterprise Zone transforming the city centre THE CITY OF ENTERPRISE

12. RESHAPING BIRMINGHAM

13. SHAPING THE OPPORTUNITIES

14. EAST BIRMINGHAM

15. The City’s first Inclusive Growth Strategy , adopted 2021 A Strategy for the regeneration of East Birmingham in the context of major planned infrastructural investments including HS2 and the Midland Metro extension to Solihull. Holistic approach including: Improved local services  Business, employment and skill Local places and green spaces   Transport including Midland Metro East Birmingham to Solihull extension and heavy rail network EAST BIRMINGHAM INCLUSIVE GROWTH

16. BIRMINGHAM CURZON

17. LEADING BIRMINGHAM

18. NEW WORLD of Planning Strategic planning for the West Midlands Importance of infrastructure particularly transport Combined Authority and devolution Resources and challenges

19. Minister’s keynote address Matthew Pennycook MP Minister for Housing & Planning

20. Government’s vision for planning reform Joanna Averley Chief Planner

21. Joanna Averley Chief Planner, MHCLG February 2025 MHCLG: The vision for Planning Reform

22. "The future of our cities depends on the quality of our collaboration today." – Lord Richard Rogers Kings Cross, London

23. 31 MHCLG & PAS: A 20-Year Partnership 20-Year Partnership: PAS, established in 2004, works closely with MHCLG to improve local authority planning services.   Shared Mission: Focused on building internal capacity for "better planning" and delivering improved outcomes for communities.   Impact Together: Engages 98% of LPAs, supporting 9,000+ officers annually through events, networks, and sector-led improvement Current Support: Small team of 11+ supports 70 councils, leveraging peer networks and MHCLG funding for scalable solutions .   Future Vision: Scaling up PAS to meet government reform demands and strengthen council planning capabilities

24. 32 25 Sep – 11 Dec - 10,981 responses 30 July to 24 Sep – Consultation on proposed changes to the NPPF 8 July – Chancellor commits to consulting on reforms to the NPPF The consultation 12 Dec – revised NPPF published

25. All authorities expected to use the standard method New method for calculating need ‘Urban uplift’ removed 33 Housing targets The Key Changes New standard method: Uses a baseline set at a percentage of existing housing stock levels Plus an affordability multiplier Removes arbitrary caps and additions Increases total annual housing target from 300,000 to 370,000 Higher affordability adjustment in response to feedback This alters the distribution, increasing need in places with most severe unaffordability Revised NPPF Changes from Dec 23 Changes from July 24

26. 34 Green Belt & Grey Belt The Key Changes New requirement to review Green Belt where necessary to meet need Development on grey belt “not inappropriate” in certain circumstances More strategic approach to Green Belt designation and release Targets development at lower quality ‘grey belt’ land, which does not make a strong contribution to Green Belt purposes Supports release of Green Belt through local plans process, but also a route for development on ‘grey belt’ through decision making Ensures development on or release of Green Belt brings public benefits Altered definition of 'grey belt' to improve operability New guidance to drive a consistent approach to identifying grey belt Revised NPPF Changes from Dec 23 Changes from July 24

27. 35 The Golden Rules The Key Changes Housing can only be built on Green Belt land when it meets these conditions: Provides affordable housing (highest, existing local plan requirement plus 15%, with a cap of 50%) Necessary improvements to infrastructure New or improved green space , improving existing green spaces and creating new ones. For new local plans, LPAs will be required to test at least 50% affordable housing Revised the approach to affordable housing Benchmark land value proposals will be considered as part of a wider review into the Viability planning practice guidance in 2025 Revised NPPF Changes from July 24

28. 36 Local Plan Transitional Arrangements The Key Changes Changes to the NPPF will take effect three months after its publication (so 12/03/25). Local Plans that have reached examination will be allowed to continue under the relevant previous version of NPPF. Local Plans who have made it to Reg. 19 will be allowed to continue under relevant previous version of NPPF as long as they are providing for at least 80% of the new local housing need figure. ...but if less than 80% they will need to reflect policy changes and new local housing need figure. Replaced the 200 dwellings per annum threshold with a percentage approach Extended transitional period from one to three months Provided additional six months where plans have to go back to Reg 18 consultation (in addition to the 18 months consulted on) Revised NPPF Changes from July 24

29. 37 Economy and communities The Key Changes Stronger support for: key economic sectors (including laboratories, gigafactories, data centres , digital infrastructure, freight and logistics) provision and modernisation of key public service infrastructure schemes that will deliver a high percentage of Social Rent/affordable housing Restricts new hot food takeaways and fast food outlets within walking distance of schools and other places where children/young people gather Strengthened policy to promote good health and prevent ill health including restricting new hot food takeaways and addressing public safety risks Revised NPPF Changes from July 24

30. 38 Environment The Key Changes Gives significant weight to benefits of renewables and low carbon energy proposals contribution to a net zero future. Exempts development from the sequential flood risk test where no new development would be at risk from flooding. Expanded policy on use of sustainable drainage systems. Changes to emphasise the importance of climate considerations in planning and a wider range of climate impacts referenced. A new paragraph to make clear that climate change is an important consideration in decision-making as well as plan-making. Encourages nature-friendly features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs. Removal of the de-facto ban on onshore wind in England Revised NPPF Changes from July 24

31. 39 What Next? Commitment to a clearer set of national policies for decision making. Intend to consult in Spring 2025. Future Planning Policy changes Intention to introduce as soon as parliamentary time allows. Key elements: accelerating the delivery of major infrastructure projects modernising planning committees and increasing local planning authorities’ capacity to deliver an improved service reforming compulsory purchase process enabling development to fund nature recovery where both are currently stalled New strategic plan making system for England Planning and Infrastructure Bill Future Planning Policy changes and PIB

32. 40 What Next? 6 March deadline for Local Plan timetables to be updated Response to the 2023 'Implementation of Plan-Making Reforms' consultation published today – sets out approach to introducing reforms to drive faster plan-making and shorter, clearer plans underpinned by digital tools and processes Created a new home for plan-making resources on GOV.UK - Create or Update a Local Plan - bringing together all the essential guidance and tools councils need to create a local plan at pace - building up over time New plan-making system commences later this year Grant payments for ATLAS support and Local Plans support to eligible local authorities to be completed in the Spring English Devolution White Paper published 16 December 2024 English Devolution Bill will be introduced in late Spring/Summer 2025, with aspects of planning including strategic DM powers for Mayors. Consultation on draft outcome regulations on Environmental Outcomes Reports will take place later this year. Plan-making reforms Plan-making reforms and EORs/EAOs Environmental Outcomes Reports

33. 41 What Next? Planning Practice Guidance and Working Papers New planning guidance for Local Nature Recovery Strategies has been published and the Green Belt will be published shortly. Planning guidance revisions for transport and renewables, viability, climate change and flooding will follow. Planning Practice Guidance We have already published Working Papers on the Brownfield Passport, Planning Committee Reforms, Streamlining Infrastructure and the Nature Recovery Fund. We intend to publish an additional Build Out Working Paper in the Spring/Summer, including options on financial penalties. Working papers

34. 42 Design and Placemaking – encouraging behavioural change What Next? We are working with PAS and LPAs to form and deliver Regional Place Networks to encourage collaboration, knowledge and best practice sharing between LPAs.  Aim to encourage confidence and behavioural shift by embedding design as a fundamental part of planning processes and addressing any regional variations in support. Regional Place Network National Design Guidance We have begun investigating the creation of a digital design code service, which aims to facilitate a more accessible, understandable and user-friendly way to speed up and simplify the preparation and implementation of design codes by LPAs. Digital We intend to publish updated national design guidance including the National Model Design Code in the Spring, to indicate clear design requirements for different scales of development.

35. 43 Strategic Planning Planning & Infrastructure Bill will create a new system of strategic planning – Spatial Development Strategies. Process for producing will be similar to the London Plan SDSs will be produced by combined authorities – where they exist, and by partnerships of County Councils and unitaries elsewhere. SDSs will be kept high level covering: Spatial Strategy Broad locations for growth – and for protection/enhancement Key infrastructure requirements Re-distribution of housing need to match the spatial strategy SDSs will not be site specific Once adopted local plans will have to be in general conformity with the SDS. Where Mayors exist, they will have strategic level DM powers once their SDS is adopted. Strategic Planning

36. 44 What Next? Capacity and Capability We have published the results of our Year 1 Planning Capacity & Skills Survey (9 Jan). Our Year 2 pulse survey remains open until tomorrow 28 February. We have laid draft regulations to increase fees for householder applications and other applications. The increase will apply from 1 April 2025, subject to Parliamentary approval Grant payments for Green Belt support for eligible local authorities to be completed in the Spring.  Local plans funding to follow in due course We are allocating £4.5 million for the Local Government Association’s latest Pathways to Planning initiative to fund salary bursaries for new planning roles in councils. We are setting ambitious targets for the programme, working with the LGA and Public Practice, where we are hoping to exceed the 300-planner target by the end of 2026.   Improving capacity and capability

37. PAS Support 2025 & beyond Richard Crawley Programme Manager, PAS

38. PAS conference 2025 Birmingham [email protected]

39. PAS support for councils Contents PAS origins PAS next steps Three ideas

40. PAS Origins

41. PAS Origins The 2001 Planning Green Paper announced that a planning advisory service would be set up to help local authorities improve service delivery in planning, working within the local government performance framework. In December 2004 the ODPM launched the new PAS hosted by the Improvement and Development Agency ( IDeA ), initially funded until 2008 Our first job was to introduce the 2004 Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act “ a key part of the Government’s agenda for speeding up the planning system ”

42. PAS Origins The Planning Advisory Service was comprised of several elements Planning Portal = technology ATLAS = sites and delivery PAS = people and culture “ Our job is to keep reminding everyone that this is not just a process problem .”

43. Our 1 st work programme Objective 1- to support all LPAs in continuous improvement of their services and adoption of best practice, in both plan-making and development control Objective 2 – to provide tailored services to assist failing authorities in the development and implementation of their improvement plans Objective 3 - to market the benefits of best practice to all LPAs and convince them of the need to change and improve

44. Not just faster – more purposeful

45. Peer review! Leadership academy! Skills framework! Compulsory member training! 2nd website – August 2006

46. December 2006 LGR Spatial Plans SSATK R&R PPS3 Green field land

47. Looking back Lots of the drivers and pressures are familiar Spooky! Why are we still here? In the middle, linking 300+ LPAs and several bits of Government Change has never really stopped And councils and people keep changing too Being part of the LGA, and alert to planning as something done by local authorities (who have plenty of other things to think about) Staying light on our feet and without our own soapbox

48. 2023-24

49. 2024-25 (so far)

50. Highlights

51. SSATK The "Soundness Self-Assessment Toolkit" first published in 2006 established an important pattern for PAS publications. It was a self-assessment that planners could use to validate and double-check their work. Nothing fancy, but an important way of managing down the risk of error.  It has morphed several times over the years and the latest version is an appendix to our 2023  Local Plan Route Mapper .  We’re about to revisit the approach as an idea of “gateway zero” for the new planning system.

52. Crystal Ball We first published a " designation crystal ball " in 2016 to help us work with councils who might miss performance targets. We didn't want to wait until it was too late - better to work with a council to prevent failure. We also wanted to push and challenge even the best service - our  DM challenge toolkit  started in 2018 and the suite has been expanded and updated dozens of times since and fleshed out with examples including ways of running an excellent planning committee.  

53. Benchmark Planning Service Benchmark  - running from 2012 to 2015 it led to almost every council time recording how their services was funded, this was a huge endeavour. Not only did we set up a benchmark that almost all councils signed up to, but we did it using a model we designed in collaboration with them.  As a beneficial side-effect, it changed how many councils thought about performance and VFM, and made us all tighten up our use of data and metrics. 

54. PAS Next steps

55. PAS in 2025/26 Each year we negotiate a n agreement Hopefully a good match between what the Government is trying to achieve and where councils need help 17 Projects. Some old, some new. Quick run-through Useful as a reminder of what’s coming your way Tell us if important things are missing! Not agreed yet, so there are plenty of question marks on the detail

56. PAS in 2025/26 Biodiversity Net Gain Continuing to help land the policy Local plans and LNRS Interaction with green and blue infrastructure policies And at a more strategic level? What role for strategic authorities ? Environmental Delivery Plans Starting with nutrient neutrality Stacking more issues over time? Nature recovery and Protected Site Strategies Not (yet) EORs?

57. PAS in 2025/26 Local Plans BAU Helping plans get to the line within the current system Project management, evidence base Local Plans reform Thinking about the new system How to start, how to prepare for gateways Understanding what is different Evidence? Allocations?

58. PAS in 2025/26 Developer contributions Im proving governance and spending Infrastructure Delivery Plans NSIPs Helping councils engage with a system they might not have noticed before Energy, water, power Changes to the system? Faster?

59. PAS in 2025/26 DM performance Speed and quality of decisions DM fees A new system of local fees? A new national system of base fees? DM Committees More standardisation? More reporting? Mandatory training? Strategic committees?

60. PAS in 2025/26 Capability & capacity Investing in senior councillors and officers Residential courses and mentoring ATLAS Learning and sharing delivery expertise Strategic Planning Supporting SDS Interface between SDS and local plans

61. PAS in 2025/26 Digital Planning GIS and spatial data Roadmap to modern digital approaches Design and placemaking Helping regional design networks Supporting national models for design codes

62. PAS in 2025/26 As a project list its quite daunting! Navigating change is about sequencing Many different contexts Avoiding rework As usual We can’t wait for clarity across the piece before starting Many of the fundamentals are not going to change very much Public interest in the environment / water / growth continues to grow We will close the conference with some more thoughts on this

63. Three ideas

64. Be of the sector You are doing a difficult thing But it’s a team game. Network, contribute This includes your councillors. Cherish the good ones. Use your regional networks – the train ticket and time away from the office is priceless Give and receive Become a peer / share your advice Receive a peer challenge / get your vehicle for change

65. Be of the sector Our BNG basecamp has demonstrated how we can make a valuable community We are about to start more

66. Digital The data hype is going to deliver at some point Data = the inputs into algorithms Links = frictionless ways to make a bigger picture Do you have someone who can look after your data? Do you have someone who can turn data into insight? Do you have someone who can turn insight into stories? Plenty of organisation pressure AI = job savings But people like doing business with people!

67. Customers

68. Embrace OD Many of your organisations are going to change Exciting! Also difficult Planning one thing among many many others (especially £) Planning in changing organisations | Local Government Association

69. Embrace OD You might need to lead this change And you might need to learn how to do this with remote teams Without an office to bring everyone together And without being able to walk the floor

70. Resilience, digital and LGR- more at the breakouts tomorrow

71. The plan making score Room 3 Modernising committees Room 2 Smarter infrastructure Room 1 Nature & Planning: what’s next Main Room 15:00 Break 15:00 – Break Seminar Sessions (1)

72. Plenary – sharing insights from seminars PAS Team

73. Inspector’s view on the reforms David Morgan Professional Lead, Appeals, PINS

74. Closing remarks Anna Rose Head of Planning Advisory Service

75. Conference Programme Day 2 – Leading & managing change (am) Maximising resources – Pooja Agrawal, CEO, Public Practice, Anna Rose Break (11:00) 11:20 Concurrent Seminars: Going Digital Room 1 Leading innovation, & resilient services Room 2 Local Government re- organisation Room 3 Lunch 12:30 Lunch 12:30pm

76. Conference Programme Day 2 – Leading & managing change (pm) 13:30 Concurrent Seminars: 14:30 **PAS's top secret roadmap through reform…** 15:15 Closing remarks; Anna Rose (conference closes) Lunch 12:30pm

77. Maximising resources Pooja Agrawal - Chief Executive, Public Practice Anna Rose – Head of PAS

78. Refreshment break (20 mins) Please go to your seminar session ready to start to start at 11:20

79. Conference Programme Concurrent Seminars: Going Digital Room 1 Leading innovation, & resilient services Room 2 Local Government re- organisation Room 3 Lunch 12:30 Lunch 12:30pm

80. Lunch (1hr) Please go to your seminar session ready to start to start at 13:30

81. Conference Programme Concurrent Seminars: Going Digital Room 1 Leading innovation, & resilient services Room 2 Local Government re- organisation Room 3 Back in main room 14:30 Lunch 12:30pm

82. PAS top secret roadmap through reforms Richard Crawley Programme Manager, PAS.

83. PAS conference 2025 Birmingham Closing session

84. PAS “Top Secret” Roadmap through reform

85. Roadmap Contents Recap of what’s coming our way So… “Agency” DM Plans Infrastructure Environment Design

86. Recap Lots going on, lots of speculation None of us know the details, but 2025-26 Planning & Infrastructure Bill LURA enactment Transition year Lots of new PPG ( eg Grey Belt) Fees and resources A transition year

87. Recap More importantly we know from experience that radical change is unlikely Principle of sustainable development remains So, don’t wait for clarity Change in the general direction We’ve provided some honest advice It might not be perfect, but we think it’s useful

88. “Agency” It might be a tricky time. Growth. Speculative applications. Green Belt sites. Critical Infrastructure (onshore wind) How to maintain agency and avoid being put into a spin of refusal / appeal? How to keep a common cause between officers and councillors? How to use your capacity to go forwards rather than round in circles? Richard

89. Development Management Review your Planning committees. Summarise and compare some obvious KPIs and best practice. Are your Members prepared for change? Prepare for planning applications cost recovery. Do you want to set your own fees if you are given the opportunity? You may be given the choice. Keep an eye on performance. Speed is easy to spot and current. With quality the damage may have already been done.

90. Local Plans Acknowledge there is uncertainty, but go for it! Submit a sound plan by December 2026 (or sooner, depending on your plan stage) dealing with DtC OR prepare for streamlined plans under the new system, expected by the end of 2025 Get your evidence up to date - this can also be used for appeals Whether we agree with these timescales or not, we can all accept we need to plan make faster. That means doing things - in our power - differently. PAS are keen to get alongside you, learn from you and share good practice as we step up to this challenge as a sector.

91. Infrastructure Effective infrastructure planning is essential for delivering places that support communities and economic growth. Raise the profile of infrastructure within your authority Develop effective governance and decision-making structures Improve collaboration across all levels and stakeholders working beyond traditional boundaries – LGR and Combined authorities Infrastructure delivery plans must become more strategic and useful Infrastructure Levy is no more, but Mayoral CILs are coming, so adopt a local CIL? RFJ

92. Environment Focus has been on DM so far, needs a wider policy perspective BNG – no bandwagons to jump on. Delivering the 'day to day' Joining it all up – BNG, LNRS, EORs, Land Use Framework... And everything else... viability, new housing targets, LGR.... Strategic thinking and planning, linking to delivery on the ground And bringing members along B / R / Z

93. Design, digital Design & placemaking understand what you want to have design policies for Decide where your design policies will sit (local plan, SP, masterplan, SDS) Know where the skills sit (LPA, CA, developer) Learn from each other – JOIN YOUR REGIONAL DESIGN NETWORK Digital: identify the talent. Engage with the world S and R

94. Devo and New Unitaries With combined authorities, think about who will be your planning liaison person now Be in control of your own destiny – proactively shape strategic development strategies New un itaries Learn from experience of other recently formed unitaries Speak to each other now e.g. aligning systems, plans and evidence Liz

95. Resources Ask for a FREE Planner! https://www.local.gov.uk/pathways-planning-council-info

96. Closing remarks Anna Rose Head of PAS

97. Goodbye, thank you for coming, & see you all again soon! Have a safe journey home