Town & Country Planning Association Press Release

Embargoed until 1am, 14^th May 2002

REGIONAL DEVOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS MUST FOLLOW NEW REGIONS WHITE PAPER, SAY CAMPAIGNERS

Regions must be free to make decisions currently made at national level rather than usurping any powers from local government, according to the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), responding to the White Paper on regional governance, ‘Your Region – Your Choice’.

“Regional Government is good for planning” claimed TCPA Trustee, Professor Peter Roberts in welcoming the White Paper. “Elected regional authorities mean that key regional development decisions – such as the number of houses to be built or major economic development priorities – can be made on a democratic basis at last”.

The TCPA is concerned that transport and regeneration funds have been locked up where central Government continues to second guess elected regional authorities, as happens in London. “Instead of enlarging Government Offices for the regions, as has been the case in London, there needs to be a delayering of bureaucracy starting at the top, with the abolition of government offices for the regions and the devolution of many other central government functions, not currently represented at regional level”, added Professor Roberts.

The TCPA believes that communities too often feel remote from decision-making in areas such as planning, transport and housing. This must be reversed if local people are to once again take an interest in political and planning processes. Elected regional government presents an opportunity to do this, by drawing decision-making out of Whitehall.

“The establishment of elected regional government is an essential step in creating effective policies that will bring about the planned development and regeneration of the English regions. Joining-up is much more difficult to achieve from the centre. Regional assemblies will be able to design and deliver ‘tailored to fit’ policies that match the different opportunities that are present in the various regions”, said Professor Roberts.

Proposals in the Planning Green Paper need to be revised in the light of plans for regional assemblies say the TCPA. Reforms of the planning system currently propose to give powers to unelected regional bodies which would make communities feel even less involved in decision-making. Therefore, the TCPA urges a rethink of plans to abolish county structure planning:

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Town and Country Planning Association campaigns for the reform of the UK planning system to promote public participation and sustainable development. It has a major influence on the development of UK planning law, policy and practice. The TCPA’s membership includes a range of individuals, firms and local authorities. It is a non-governmental organisation supported by voluntary contributions.

Contacts: Prof Peter Roberts (TCPA Trustee) Tel. 01382 345236

Gideon Amos (TCPA Director)
Tel. (020) 7930 8903 or Mob. 07881 908756