1. London:
SWOT Analysis
The UK planning group have produced a SWOT of the London planning system for territorial development in Central, Outer and the edge of London, which is outside of London.
We looked at the influence of national, regional and local planning in London, and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of this system for London.
We use the example of housing to demonstrate some of the issues, we also refer to other spatial issues (economic, infrastructure, green space). 1

2. Re-cap Planning System
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats of Planning System for Territorial Development;
Inner London, Outer London, Edge (outside) of London – see written notes
We will:
1. Summarise London Planning System (Interaction of national, regional, local) – our earlier presentations explained this in more detail;
2. Present the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the London planning system for territorial development in Central, Outer and across Greater London.
To produce the SWOT we looked at the SWOT for Inner London, Outer London and outside of London separately. We explain this in the written document sent around with our presentation. To keep the presentation short we have only looked at the system for the whole of London. 2

3. Planning in London London is covered by four levels of planning:
National – National Planning Policy Framework (one new document 52 pages long replaced 1000 pages of old guidance)
Regional – London Plan – One plan covers 32 London Boroughs, the City Corporation (City of London), the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Local – Local Development Framework or Local Plan – produced by each of individual 32 London Boroughs
Neighbourhood Planning – a new level of planning created in 2012.
There is no regional planning level outside of London. It was abolished in 2011/12.
We will briefly re-cap on the planning system in London.
London is covered by four levels of planning:
National – National Planning Policy Framework (one new document 52 pages long replaced 1000 pages of old guidance)
Regional – London Plan – One plan covers 32 London Boroughs, the City Corporation (City of London), the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Local – Local Development Framework or Local Plan – produced by each of individual 32 London Boroughs
Neighbourhood Planning – a new level of planning created in 2012.
Remember, there is no regional planning level outside of London. It was abolished in 2011/12.
The changes in the planning system are shown diagrammatically on the next slide. 3

4. Pre 2011/12 Post 2011/12
The diagram below shows the old planning system (pre-2011/2) and the new system (post 2011/2). 4

5. SWOT
SWOT of the planning system post-2012 for territorial development. We examined:
The role of the Regional Tier (The Mayor and London Plan);
National Policy – National Planning Policy Framework;
New level of neighbourhood planning;
New “Duty to Co-Operate” – local authorities must work together in plan-making and making planning decisions
Community Infrastructure Levy – a new planning charge (or tax) on development. It replaces an old system.
Local Enterprise Partnerships – a partnership between local authorities and businesses to help determine local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation. They often carry out functions that regional planning use to outside of London.
We conducted a SWOT of the planning system post-2012 for London – we looked at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the four levels of planning system (national, regional, local and neighbourhood planning) for the territorial development / cohesion of London and its surrounds.
We examined:
The role of the Regional Tier (The Mayor and London Plan);
National Policy – National Planning Policy Framework;
New level of neighbourhood planning;
New “Duty to Co-Operate” – local authorities must work together in plan-making and making planning decisions;
Community Infrastructure Levy – a new planning charge (or tax) on development. It replaces an old system; and
Local Enterprise Partnerships – a partnership between local authorities and businesses to help determine local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation. They often carry out functions that regional planning use to outside of London. 5

6. SWOT We looked at the SWOT on these issues for:
 “Central London” – where regional and local policy is strong;
“Outer London” – where regional and local policy is strong; and
“Edge of London” (i.e. outside of London) – where there is no regional policy – only local and national policies.
We looked at the SWOT on these issues for:
“Central London” – where regional and local policy is strong;
“Outer London” – where regional and local policy is strong;
“Edge of London” / Outside of London – where there is no regional policy – only local and national policies
We used these SWOTs to make a combined SWOT.
The maps on the next slide show these areas. 6

7. The map at the top shows the Greater London area (comprising of the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London) and “Edge” (i.e. outside) of London area (e.g. the counties of Essex, Surrey, Kent etc). There is no longer any regional planning for these the Edge of London areas: they are covered by National and Local policies.
Local policies are often less up to date at the edge of London, as local authorities have fewer resources. This means National Policy is sometimes more important.
The map in the bottom corner shows the distinction between Central and Outer London Boroughs (please ignore the “Central Activities Zone” – for the purpose of this SWOT it is included within Central London). All the London Boroughs have local (Borough policy) and regional policy (The London Plan). Regional planning is carried out by the elected Mayor (Boris Johnson) and the Greater London Authority (GLA). 7

8. Strengths
Targets are set at the regional level, e.g. targets are set for the number of new houses and jobs, which encourages housing provision in the context of a severe undersupply.
Quality standards are set in regional and local policy, e.g. in London standards are set for the size of homes and balconies. High standards are therefore more likely to be met in London.
The London Regional Government (the Mayor and Greater London Authority) have control over planning, money and land, on certain issues (for example affordable housing). This means growth can be planned and delivered more effectively.
Targets are set at the regional level (Local authorities plans have to conform to these targets). For example targets are set for the number of new houses and jobs. This encourages housing provision in the context of a severe undersupply.
Quality standards are set in regional and local policy. For example in London standards are set for the size of homes and balconies. This means high standards are more likely to be met in London.
London’s regional government (the Mayor and Greater London Authority) have control over planning, money and land, on certain issues (for example affordable housing). Local governments do not have money to spend. This means growth can be planned and delivered more effectively. 8

9. Weaknesses Political influence: London regional government is elected;
The regional government has different priorities to local government (there can be tensions);
Not enough affordable housing;
Viability – due to charges on new development
Political influence:
London’s regional government is elected (for example the Mayor and Greater London Authority). While this increases the democratic accountability, with each election the policies can change. This makes the system unstable.
The London regional government does not have the same priorities as local government – there can be tensions.
There is also tension between the elected government and the planning officers at both regional and local level (these are employees of the regional government or local government). Employees have the knowledge but not the power.
Not enough affordable housing – affordable housing is being sold (national policy) faster than it is being built (regional and local policy). People are being moved outside of London as houses are less expensive increasing inequalities between London and the rest of the county.
Viability – the regional and local government set charges on new development (for example charges for transport infrastructure, parks and affordable housing). There is a difference between what regional and local government want to prioritise. If the charge is too high there will be no development, especially in Outer London and outside/edge of London. 9

10. Opportunities
Introduction of the new “duty to co-operate”. This will encourage local authorities to work together and co-ordinate. This is positive where towns fall near a local authority border.
New level of neighbourhood planning will allow local people to be involved in planning (more democratic).
New Local enterprise partnerships link local authorities and businesses. This increases links between planning, economic growth and job creation.
Introduction of the new “duty to co-operate”. This will encourage local authorities to work together and co-ordinate. This is positive where towns fall near a local authority border.
New level of neighbourhood planning will allow local people to be involved in planning (more democratic).
New Local enterprise partnerships link local authorities and businesses. This increases links between planning, economic growth and job creation. 10

11. Threats Money / recession:
Local authorities have less money;
Developers have less money;
Development charges make development unviable
Viability – in London a new development charge of development from £20 - £50 per sq m for a new tube line;
Trade-off – have to decide between different priorities (affordable housing, transport, environment). National policy is pro-growth above other issues.
Money / recession:
Local authorities have less money;
Developers have less money;
Development charges make development unviable
Viability – in London a new development charge of development from £20 - £50 per sq m for a new tube line;
Trade-off – have to decide between different priorities (affordable housing, transport, environment). National policy is pro-growth above other issues. 11

12. Conclusions
Regional planning is good in London – helps to ensure local authorities are joined up;
The Mayor also has economic, housing and transport powers as well as planning – this helps things to happen;
The “Duty-to-corporate” and Local Enterprise Partnerships are good, especially in Outer London and on the Edge/Outside of London (where there is no regional government) for territorial cohesion.
Regional planning is good in London – it helps to ensure local authorities are joined up;
The Mayor also has economic, housing and transport powers as well as planning – this helps things to happen; and
The “Duty-to-corporate” and Local Enterprise Partnerships are good, especially in Outer London and on the Edge/Outside of London (where there is no regional government) for territorial cohesion. 12