Local opposition is at the heart of our broken planning system. Nimbyism has over several decades shown its power to stop progress . Excessive house prices, weak economic growth, failed levelling up, unloved new builds and outstanding zero carbon targets are all the symptoms of policy failure on several fronts: local democracy, fear of local change, poor productivity and so forth. Development which local people welcome is a rarity. Sadly the brutal evidence is the planning and development industries over a generation have convinced residents that new building is invariably bad news for their own, locally based quality of life. It is a tragic outcome of contemporary policy making. What is extraordinary is no-one has a trusted and deliverable answer. Failure over four decades cannot be blamed on anyone but ourselves.
So it is interesting and encouraging to read a report in the Times (Geraldine Scott, senior political correspondent; 3 April 2024) citing research by Stack Data Strategy suggesting the Labour party ‘ is targeting voters who are pro-housebuilding in a war on nimbyism seen as a vital part of (their) path to power’. If the findings are correct it is good news. And if Labour can start a process of renewal based on this evidence it will be welcome. But in practice will Labour alone achieve what we all want in these regards without destroying what we all love too?
Comments that Labour intend to build on ‘grey belt land’ even if it is green belt land ought to be viewed positively. But actually we need to be clear in spatial terms this mind set is tinkering. To mend the broken system, or deliver levelling up, which is supported by both political parties a far broader spatial canvass must be used as the foundation of renewal. It starts with joint endeavours to produce a national plan to implement levelling up socially and spatially. That commitment then leads to a national plan, identifying where change will happen and will not happen. Next, the host areas must be persuaded they. want the changes that will come. How is this to be done? It will take time and require local understanding and leadership: if you like, local pride in place of local ideologies. It will be a novel experience and for this reason I wonder if it is achievable? Perhaps money will talk?
Delivery on the scale needed means long term, consistent and credible plans are essential, in place of haphazard, uncoordinated and often unexpected projects which destroy trust. Labour must be the pioneers of consensus spatial planning. They must prepare for and resist the inevitable but short lasting attacks on spatial planning, by ideological opponents in Westminster and spatial opponents locally. Integrity and shrewd consistency in the short term despite opposition may provide the foundations for the longer term, as the possibility of change for the better becomes credible once again.
Ian Campbell
3 April 2024
