New PPS12 (Local Spatial Planning) published: key role of local authorities in the planning framework outlined

Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12) explains what local spatial planning is, and how it benefits communities. It also sets out what the key ingredients of local spatial plans are and the key government policies on how they should be prepared. It should be taken into account by local planning authorities in preparing development plan documents and other local development documents.

The introduction to PPS 12 says: 'Local authorities have a key role in leading their communities and creating prosperity in our villages, towns and cities, and fostering local identity and civic pride.

'Communities need civic leadership to help bring together the local public, voluntary and community sectors together with private enterprise in order to create a vision of how to respond to and address a locality’s problems, needs and ambitions and build a strategy to deliver the vision in a coordinated way. This is what the Government means when it refers to local authorities as “place shapers”.

Local authorities have been doing this for over 100 years. However, whereas at one time they would solve problems and provide services themselves, today they are much more likely to discharge their place shaping role through partnership – with the public, private and voluntary sectors within their areas and with neighbouring authorities – and with the direct input of their local communities.

What the Government says:

Local leaders will have a stronger role in shaping the future development of our towns and cities under the new PPS12, said Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint.

PPS 12 on local spatial plans means that local plans - which collectively map out the future development of the whole country - must now be more firmly based on a shared vision created with the involvement of public agencies, businesses, voluntary groups and local people.

By leading this process elected local councillors will be able to set out a shared vision ensuring their area's development meets the needs of local communities as well as national standards on sustainable development, for example:

    * Providing suitable land for affordable housing;
    * Tackling climate change through low carbon development and quality public transport;
    * Ensuring that infrastructure such as schools and health clinics are in place;
    * Attracting private investment and new jobs into town centres and deprived areas providing prosperity for all;
    * Ensuring that development complements each areas distinctiveness, fosters local identity and promotes civic pride.
 

This replaces Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks, published on 7 September 2004, and Creating Local Development Frameworks: A Companion guide to PPS12, published on 2 November 2004.

This also replaces Planning Policy Guidance 12: Development plans (PPG12) published on 14 December 1999.