Planning for sustainable economic development

Confidence is crucial when applying to develop a business facility: clearly firms don’t want to waste time and money on unsuccessful applications.

In light of this, the UK provides a plan-led system – setting out what type of facilities businesses can build and where – to offer a high level of certainty for development proposals from the outset.

But not wanting to be complacent, the UK Government has targeted the development of an even more transparent, predictable and effective planning procedure.

Committed to improvement

The November (2007) Planning Bill and accompanying statement set out Government proposals for planning reform.

They highlight its commitment to achieving a prosperous economy and high quality of life, while reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

Proposals aim at reaching a planning decision in nine months for nationally significant infrastructure including air ports, sea ports and energy.

Other business land-use planning will be improved by policy revisions, including a new Planning Policy Statement for sustainable economic development.

Business-friendly balance

The UK’s Local Development Frameworks for planning balance economic, social and environmental objectives – seen as vital to maintaining the UK’s high quality business and lifestyle environment – but with significant emphasis given to business needs.

As a result, of the 150,000 business planning applications made each year, 80 per cent are approved, mostly within the 8 to 13 week target timescale.

Putting planning into action

One example of efficiency in planning is London’s 2012 Olympic development, which will transform an area of east London into a world-class model of urban regeneration.

David Higgins, chief executive officer of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has called the Games “a sporting overlay for the biggest regeneration project in Europe”.

Other works in progress include the multi-purpose Silvertown Quays development in London’s Docklands and the £5.5 billion, 150-acre Liverpool Waters scheme, which includes a new cruise liner terminal and a monorail.

International gateway

But improving access for business isn’t just about bricks and mortar for new operations.

The 2006 Eddington Transport Study emphasised the economic significance of international gateways – and the need for a world-class transport infrastructure to match.

The Government’s response will be to develop airport operations across the UK, with additional infrastructure at Heathrow and in Edinburgh.

And recognising the importance of the sea trade to UK businesses – 90% of the UK’s cargo is still brought into the UK by sea – there are plans for several deep-sea container ‘super-port’ developments at locations including London Gateway, Felixstowe and Harwich.