Comment

Industrial Revolution

Better planning guidance for business

The way that we plan to meet the land and property needs of businesses is not working.

This is leading to shortages of land in some areas of the country, including Greater London and the West Midlands. In other areas, there is a surplus of industrial land that is no longer attractive to businesses and which could be released for alternative uses.

In our new Industrial Revolution research report we have investigated why the planning system is not meeting business needs effectively. We have reviewed the employment land evidence used by 10% of local authorities in England.

We have found that:

• The evidence used to plan for business needs is inconsistent across local authorities.
• Planning policy guidance provides only general advice and could be improved.
• Industry engagement is poor and could be improved.
• Evidence is not regularly updated – failing to keep pace with evolving business needs.
• The needs of fast evolving sectors such as logistics are out-pacing the speed at which the planning system plans and allocates land to meet needs.

We are calling for a pro-business planning system. Our report makes 11 key recommendations to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for improving Planning Policy Guidance.

Now is the time to act to improve the planning system to ensure it fully meets the needs of businesses as the UK prepares to leave the EU and the Government seeks to implement its Modern Industrial Strategy.

To download your copy of our full report Industrial Revolution: Better planning guidance for business, please click the link below.

If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Richard Laming or Amy Gilham.

8 June 2017