Cynllunio Summer 2021 - RTPI
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Summer 2021 Cynllunio The Journal of RTPI Cymru
RTPI Cymru Contacts Contents
Roisin Willmott
Director
Tel: 020 7929 8197 3 RTPI Cymru Policy Update
e-mail: 3 Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS
roisin.willmott@rtpi.org.uk 4 Planning, Phosphates and Protected Sites
Rhian Brimble 5 PINS Separation Update
Policy Officer 6 Young Planners Cymru
Tel: 020 7929 9498
8 RTPI Cymru Awards for Planning Excellence
e-mail:
9 PiPN Launched (Politicians in Planning Network)
rhian.brimble@rtpi.org.uk
10 Welsh Planner Live
Georgina Roberts
12 Planners and Placemaking - a blog by Joe Ayoubkhani
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 020 7929 8181 13 Welsh Places Charter
e-mail: 14 Welsh Government Programme for Government
georgina.roberts@rtpi.org.uk
Front Cover: Tweets from Welsh Planner Live #WelshPlannerLive
RTPI Cymru
Studio 107, Creative Quarter,
Morgan Arcade
Cardiff Editorial
CF10 1AF
On the eve of Welsh We are very pleased to who can demonstrate a
For further information,
Planner Live I had a dream have a speech from the contribution to planning
please visit:
... for some reason I went Minister - Julie James or significant career
www.rtpi.org.uk/wales
to Cardiff City Hall (a past MS on the ambitions for achievements in recent
@RTPICymru venue for the Conference) the new Government years in Wales.
and all the delegates and her portfolio and the Anyone involved in planning
The RTPI is a charity were there, logging on to challenge for planning and
registered in England 262865 in the river SACs in Wales
their laptops to tune into planners. There is a link will be aware of a significant
and Scotland SC 037841
the Conference on-line. to this on page 3. We also issue around phosphates,
Someone who can interpret discuss the Programme for NRW provide the latest
Editor: dreams might tell me it was Government and compare position on page 4. We also
Roisin Willmott a yearning for face to face this to what we asked for in have an update from PINS
events! Events on the day our manifesto asks, ahead on the separation between
Potential articles and images proved why ... The Wales of the May elections. the PINS Wales service
are welcome. The Editor Planning Conference has in
reserves the right to amend Talking of elections ... from the organisation in
the past been ‘affected’ by we are now seeking England.
articles as necessary.
a General Election and by nominations for various
Croesawn erthyglau yn y A recent tweet alerted me
Beyonce and Jay Z, 2021 RTPI positions, including
Gymraeg. to the little remembered
we hit the modern digital places on the RTPI Cymru fact that it is now 25 years
The copy deadlines for the age and mid-morning there Executive Committee. We
next 3 quarterly issues of
since planning policy in
was a global cloud outage want to have a committee
Cynllunio are: Wales first started to ‘go it
which tried to take us down, which is representative of alone’ from England with
• Thursday 19 August 2021 but we resisted and whilst the profession in Wales
• Thursday 4 November the publication of Planning
there were some issues, so please do think about
2021 Guidance (Wales): Planning
the show was kept on the nominating yourself.
• Thursday 10 February Policy, published by the
road!
2022 We’re also inviting entries to Welsh Office in May 1996.
Thank you to everyone that the RTPI Cymru Award for I wonder if anyone at that
If you want to make
contributions then get in touch participated as a speaker, Planning Excellence - this time had any inclining of
on 020 7929 8197 or email: chair, panellist or delegate. is an opportunity to promote where we would be 25
roisin.willmott@rtpi.org.uk. A particular thank you to our your work and showcase years on?
sponsors - Savills and FTB. your teams. We’re also on
The opinions expressed are We are at a critical point in
Since the last edition of the hunt for the next Young the pandemic and I hope
contributors’ own, unless
Cynllunio we have a new Planner of the Year - are we will all be able to meet
otherwise stated. The RTPI is
not responsible for statements Welsh Government - the you in the first ten years again without restrictions. In
made or views expressed in same Party as last time, of your profession? Or the meantime, stay safe.
this Journal. but with some changes, perhaps a member of your
Roisin Willmott
including a new home team is and they need a
Editor
for planning in the new nudge. We are looking for
Climate Change Ministry. RTPI members (any class)
2 Cynllunio - Summer 2021
RTPI Cymru Policy Update Minister for Climate Change
addresses profession
The RTPI Cymru
Policy Team were
hard at work
monitoring Party
election manifestos
in the run up to
the May Senedd
Cymru elections and
discussing what it all
meant for planning.
Read our detailed
analysis on the Welsh
elections here www.
rtpi.org.uk/find-your-
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie
rtpi/rtpi-nations/
James MS, has addressed the planning profession in a
Above: Rhian Brimble rtpi-cymru/policy-
video message, delivered for Welsh Planner Live.
and-research/plan-
the-wales-we-need/ and what the results of the Senedd The Minister highlighted that there is a need to address
climate change and said “everything we do as a
Cymru / Welsh Parliament elections mean for planning
Government needs to be seen through the lens of climate
and our RTPI Cymru Election Asks.
change. By bringing together issues including housing,
Earlier this month the First Minister commented on regeneration, energy, transport and planning into this new
the second homes crisis in Wales and suggested that powerful ministry. we will ensure there is full alignment
planning would be one of the measures used to tackle across these areas. .... recent experiences show that when
the many issues in connection with the rise of second we pull together we can achieve great things.”
home ownership in Wales. The Minister outlined a number of actions the Government
Some of these issues were discussed in detail at the is planning, including:
Welsh Planner Live, earlier in June, during the session • town centre revival
on balancing tourism with the needs of communities, • Wales infrastructure investment plan
speakers discussed how to balance holiday • implementing the new transport strategy
accommodation including short-term lets and second • protection and enhancement of biodiversity
homes with housing for local communities and sustaining • deliver a Clean Air Act
communities in rural areas and in particular the impact on • create a new National Park
the Welsh language. • decarbonise the economy
• introduce a Welsh language community housing plan;
RTPI Cymru will continue to engage with stakeholders
and
on this important matter and looks forward to working
• deliver 20,000 low carbon new social housing for rent
with Welsh Government as more detailed proposals are
unveiled. “Planners and the planning system are at the heart of the
Rhian Brimble MRTPI delivery of many of them.”
Rhian is Policy Officer for RTPI Cymru and can be The video can be watched at: www.rtpi.org.uk/
contacted by e-mail: rhian.brimble@rtpi.org.uk welshplannerlive. See page 15 for further detail of the
Programme for Government.
One year of CHANGE
Our progress on creating an inclusive profession
Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) both within the planning profession and in the way that we engage with
communities was at the heart of my RTPI Presidency in 2020 and so launching the RTPI’s first EDI action plan –
CHANGE - just over a year ago was something very special. Now, as I enter my final year as the Institute’s first EDI
Board Champion, I am delighted to be able to report back to members on the progress that we have made in delivering
the actions set out in CHANGE. However, as we all know simply having a plan is not enough, we need to deliver on our
commitments; as this report will show, whilst there is still a long way to go, we have started to do just that. I hope that you
will find the report interesting and that as we move forward you will join us in delivering the change that we need to see.
Sue Manns FRTPI EDI Board Champion
You can read our report here: www.rtpi.org.uk/new/our-strategic-priorities/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/one-year-of-
change/
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 3
Planning, Phosphates and Protected Sites
There are nine river Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Wales – Cleddau,
Eden, Gwyrfai, Teifi, Tywi, Glaslyn, Dee, Usk and Wye. These rivers support some
of Wales’ most special wildlife like Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel, white-
clawed crayfish and floating water-plantain.
Phosphate is naturally occurring, and is released slowly, at low levels, from natural
sources, for example from natural bankside erosion. However, human activity is
also responsible for phosphate being released into the environment via the way we
manage our land and how we dispose of our wastewater and sewerage.
Our climate is changing, and the predicted warmer and drier weather could see
reduced flows during the summer, and so increase phosphate concentrations in our
rivers
High concentrations of phosphate can lead to the process of eutrophication and can
Above: Rhian Jardine cause significant ecological damage to rivers including altering the balance of plant
species in our rivers. This is why it is such an important consideration.
How did the SACs fare?
We have now assessed the levels of phosphate in the nine river SACs in Wales and established that phosphorus
breaches are widespread, with over 60% of waterbodies failing against their targets. Wales is not the only part of
the UK facing such challenges with areas of England such as Somerset and Herefordshire experiencing similar
issues.
The river with the highest level of phosphate failures was the Usk with 88% of its water bodies failing their target.
Over 60% of river sections on the Wye and Cleddau failed their targets. The lower Teifi and parts of the Dee also
failed to reach the standards.
Three SAC rivers in north Wales - the Eden, Gwyrfai and Glaslyn – as well as the Tywi in south west Wales
passed their targets. The full evidence report can be found here: naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/
research-and-reports/water-reports/river-wye-compliance-report/?lang=en.
We will be reviewing other water quality determinants in river SACs over the coming year, and although they are
unlikely to have as far reaching implications as our phosphate assessment, our findings may also have an effect
on the conservation status of our rivers.
Working with planning authorities
Our analysis of this data has highlighted the scale of the challenges we face in addressing nutrient issues within
our river catchments. In publishing this data there are significant consequences for development planning.
Planning Authorities will need to have regard to the new evidence when making planning decisions and will need
to be satisfied through their Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) that new development proposals will not
result in damage to a SAC.
To assist planning authorities, we’ve issued a position statement in respect of our planning advice and permitting
responsibilities. This can be viewed here: naturalresources.wales/about-us/news-and-events/news/tighter-
phosphate-targets-change-our-view-of-the-state-of-welsh-rivers/?lang=en Whilst HRA is not a new requirement,
there is now an enhanced focus on developments which could release additional phosphates to the nine SAC
rivers. Candidate sites and
individual planning applications
within thesecatchments will need
to be carefully assessed. We
have been working with Welsh
Government to publish SAC
catchment and waterbody maps
through the Wales data portal so
that developers can determine
where their proposals are located.
They can be accessed here:
datamap.gov.wales/layergroups/
inspire-nrw:ComplianceAssessmen
tOfWelshRiverSacsAgainstPhosph
orusTargets
4 Cynllunio - Summer 2021
Alongside the planning position statement and evidence report, we have provided advice to planning authorities
to help them assess whether development proposals and local development plans may lead to increases in
phosphorus discharges. Our advice can be accessed here Natural Resources Wales / Advice to planning
authorities for planning applications affecting phosphorus sensitive river Special Areas of Conservation.
A working group has been established made up of Local Authority Planners representing the Planning Officer
Society for Wales, the Planning Inspectorate, Welsh Government, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and ourselves to
consider the specific implications for the planning system.
Not an issue for planners alone
Solutions to tackle phosphate levels in our rivers do not lie with the planning system alone. Welsh Government
has established an oversight group which includes representatives from across the relevant policy departments
as well as key external stakeholders to provide a focus for a collaborative multi sectoral response.
Collectively we need to develop long term, catchment-scale solutions to addressing the issues of nutrients in our
rivers. We need to rethink how we manage nutrients in agricultural land and how we treat wastewater as well
as how we can establish practical nature-based solutions such as river restoration programmes that can both
improve water quality and habitat but also reduce nutrient inputs
Although the challenges are immediate, we have an opportunity to rethink ‘business as usual’ We all have a part
to play to make sure that Wales’ rivers are healthy for future generations.
Rhian Jardine
NRW’s Head of Development Planning and Marine
PINS Wales separation moves forward
The Planning Inspectorate is currently a joint agency of Welsh and English governments. Planning Inspectorate
Wales is a bespoke team of support staff and Inspectors which provides an appellate service for planning and
environmental matters and examines Local Development Plans and infrastructure projects in Wales and makes
decisions and recommendation solely on the basis of Welsh local and national planning policy.
In March 2019 Julie James, the Minister for Housing and Local Government announced the establishment of a
separate Inspectorate for Wales. A number of options were considered for the new service including retaining
agency status as well as how the service is provided in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire. A principal objective
was ensuring that the independence of the new service and Inspectors was maintained. The Minister considered
the options and decided to adopt the Scottish model. The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division is within
Scottish government but operates with safeguards in place to protect the independence of its Reporters.
Even with transferring support staff and Inspectors from the Planning Inspectorate to Welsh Government the
creation of a new appellate and examination service is a huge and complicated task. Work was progressing but
then the pandemic hit and resources diverted to ensuring Wales responded appropriately and effectively. As a
consequence, the go live date of 1 April 2021 was put back to 1 October 2021.
What difference will I see? A new casework system is under construction and there will be a new portal for
submitting and viewing appeals. The service will still be administered from Cathays with Inspectors based all
around Wales but our name, web site, letter heads, e mail addresses etc will be different. What will not change is
the quality of the service and Inspectors will continue to make decisions in accordance with the Franks principles
of openness, fairness and impartiality.
As we move closer to 1 October we will keep stakeholders informed through press releases and directly in
relation to where and how appeals should be submitted etc. If you would like to be on our mailing list for news
and updates please contact us at wales@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 5
Young Planners Events: Past and Future
On behalf of the Young Planners Cymru (YPC)
Committee, we hope you are all continuing to keep
safe and well during this time and are looking forward
to getting back to normality with the start of the
relaxation of lockdown restrictions and the vaccine roll
out taking place.
from this event.
Despite this unpredictable and unsettling time,
YPC has been as active as ever by adapting as a If you’re interested in YPC and have any suggestions
committee and hosting a number of virtual events. for virtual events
you would like
The continued success of transitioning our events
to see from us,
onto a virtual platform can be seen through YPC’s
please get in touch!
‘Reducing Car Dependency’ webinar. This took place
We will discuss
on Thursday the 4th March 2021, with speakers
any suggestions
Professor Mark Barry of Cardiff University, Mike Axon
we receive at our
of Vectos and Helen Westhead of Arup.
virtual committee
The event focused on how we as planners can play meetings, and your
a part in helping to decarbonise the way we travel help can shape
around our towns and cities. The cross-professional YPC during this
panel discussed the role of planning in changing uncertain time.
people’s attitudes to car use, EV cars and the part they
We hope the
may play in decarbonisation and how COVID-19 has
continued presence
led to some very important questions regarding the
of YPC can provide
future of public transport.
a much-needed
The webinar attracted an audience of over 60 distraction and
attendees from a range of backgrounds and a variety focus, particularly
of locations nationally. Feedback from the event has for those within
been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising their final year at university and who are feeling unsure
the topics discussed. of times ahead.
We also held a CPD webinar in June in regard to To find out more, including information on upcoming
planning for the well-being of future generations. This events and how you can get involved, please visit the
was an opportunity to discuss how young planners RTPI Cymru website or follow us on social media:
can make the most out of the Well-being of Future
Twitter: @YPCymru
Generations (Wales) Act 2015 with professionals from
Mott MacDonald and the Future Generations Act Team Facebook: Young Planners Cymru
– look out for the next edition of Cynllunio for lessons LinkedIn: RTPI Young Planners Cymru
Congratulations to our latest Housing in Wales: Evidence for
Chartered Town Planners Welsh Government published
The UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence
(CaCHE) has recently published a paper setting
out evidence informed priorities for the new Welsh
Government (and a separate paper in relation to
Congratulations to our latest Chartered Planners to be elected Scotland). These are based upon a synthesis of
in Wales:
CaCHE research undertaken over the last 3 years.
• Thomas Jacob - Persimmon Homes
• Elkie Lam - Llewelyn Davies Ltd The Wales paper, Housing in Wales: Evidence
Employers recognise the high quality of skills and experience for Welsh Government 2021-26 is available
that are held by Chartered Town Planners. They know that they using the following link: housingevidence.ac.uk/
can rely upon the designation as a sign of professionalism. publications/housing-in-wales-evidence-for-welsh-
(Note those more recently awarded Chartered status will appear in the government-2021-26/
next edition of Cynllunio).
All the information and guidance for submitting your APC
(all routes) is available from: www.rtpi.org.uk/membership/
assessment-of-professional-competence/
6 Cynllunio - Summer 2021
Our tomorrow
starts with
you today
Are you a strategic thinker who is
passionate about planning?
Put yourself forward or nominate a member in
this year’s elections.
Nominations are open 22 June – 28 July
for the following positions:
The Board of Trustees: The General Assembly:
• Vice President for 2022 (will • Chartered Members
become President in 2023) • Legal Member/
• Honorary Secretary and Solicitor Legal Associate
• Nations and Regions Trustee • Student/Licentiates
• Young Planner Trustee
• Chartered Trustees
Cymru Executive Committee:
• Vice Chair (2022)
• 1 Representative on General Assembly (2022 and 2023)
• 3 Executive Committee Corporate Members (2022 and 2023)
• 1 Executive Committee Associate Member (2022 and 2023)
Look out for your email from Mi-Voice or visit
www.rtpi.org.uk/elections
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 7
The Awards highlight exceptional examples of how planning and planners
have a positive impact on our quality of life in creating exceptional places and
protecting our environment. In recognising and rewarding excellence we aim to
inspire others to achieve the same high standards.
We’re also on the search for the Wales Young Planner of the Year 2021 - for
those in the first ten years of their planning career.
For further information go to: www.rtpi.org.uk/walesaward
We are looking for outstanding examples of planning in Wales. Were there unusual problems that were
addressed by the project, was a difficult situation turned around by good planning, was it a new or ground
breaking way of handling a problem?
Remember in drafting your submission that the judges won’t be familiar with the detail, or the context, don’t
assume knowledge of the points which you feel demonstrate the reasons why the entry should win. Always ask
yourself ... “so what”?
You can enter a built project, a strategy or a process - but for any entry make sure you can demonstrate
outcomes and value (not necessarily financial value) from the project e.g. you might have a very good strategy
which has just been adopted but can you demonstrate it can be implemented / what difference it is making?
Be clear what you are submitting as your entry - is it the masterplan, or the built-out scheme, is it a plan /
strategy or is it a process you used to deliver the plan / strategy?
“We believe the RTPI Awards play a key role in driving quality and
ambition by recognising the hard work of professionals in the UK
planning environment. We are thrilled to be able to expand our
ongoing sponsorship of these awards under our new Tetra Tech
brand.” Nick Stafford, Operations Manager, Tetra Tech
8 Cynllunio - Summer 2021
RTPI launches new network to support politicians
involved in planning
The RTPI’s Politicians in Planning Network
(PiPN) will enable local authority and
parliamentary politicians across all UK and
Ireland jurisdictions to share best practice,
access information and receive a regular
newsletter on planning matters free of charge.
RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: ”Local
politicians play a pivotal role in ensuring the
communities they represent have the access
to the right homes and infrastructure for their
needs.
“Through this new network, we’ll seek to bridge
the gap between planning professionals and
politicians to support shared ambitions for
vibrant, healthy and sustainable places for
communities to live and work in, particularly as
we start to recover from the global pandemic.”
The network was officially launched at a special online event on 14 June, organised in partnership with communications
agency Cratus. It included an insightful panel debate with representatives from across the UK and showed the value of local
and national politicians sharing their experience and expertise across local authority and national boundaries to ensure that
planners and politicians could work together to provide the best outcomes for their communities.
Introducing the speakers, RTPI Chair of the Board of Trustees Sue Bridge spoke of the importance of the new network in
helping to bridge the divide between politicians and planners, especially crucial in the recovery from the pandemic.
Lockdown internet star and local council veteran Jackie Weaver gave the keynote address, reflecting on how the pandemic
has highlighted the value of local democracy. Technology, she argued, has given new life to community engagement and
virtual meetings should be extended. Local council and community work that often went overlooked had renewed interest
during the pandemic, with a new willingness to utilize and highlight local councils as a crucial resource.
Jackie addressed the more contentious areas of planning and local politics, arguing that there has been a shift—aided by
neighbourhood planning—to local politicians seeking to influence development for the good of communities, rather than
campaign to block it. However, Jackie believed the continued under-resourcing of planning departments remained an issue
and was a factor limiting community involvement in the process.
Professional planners worked with a goal of benefiting the wider public and politicians bring their understanding of the
community and wider priorities, so Jackie argued “the network will be very important in bringing both together.” “Planning for
local communities should be a partnership, and if I can help that partnership then I am happy to do so.”
Julian Seymour, managing director of planning communications at Cratus, opened the panel discussion with a question on
the politics of planning to Councillor David Simmonds CBE MP. Coming from both a national and local perspective, David
argued that the “how” of housing was at the core of the politics. National politics focuses heavily on numbers over types of
units, with a shift needed in the debate to address the types of homes people need.
Councillor Caro Wild gave a Welsh perspective, highlighting the crucial importance of a robust legal and technical framework
to planning. Councillor Linda Haysey from East Herts argued that political leadership is crucial to the system, with politicians
needing to reflect the views of communities, consider future generations, as well as provide the direction to push plans
along.
Councillor Anna Richardson from Glasgow City Council led with sustainability, with planning essential to “steering the ship” in
the right direction. Planning, she argued, shapes her city and therefore influences the decisions people make every day. Cllr
Angeliki Stogia from Manchester focused on the impact of planning on quality of life, and the power of the process to create
healthy and sustainable places.
Turning to the issues planners face in the process, Caro argued that a lack of public understanding of the profession and the
system was at the core of many of the issues faced. Similarly, Anna highlighted the need to both meet the community where
they are in their worries about the impact of development on services, while also considering the long-term needs of the
community. For Linda, Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), disputes with PINS and a lack of strategic planning all pose
difficulties, while Angeliki highlighted the difficulties in ensuring adequate levels of transport, affordability and standards.
The event was closed by Nick Kilby of Cratus, who thanked Jackie and the councillors for sharing their passion for local
government. The new network, he hoped, could ensure better understanding
between councillors and planners.
Join PiPN here: www.rtpi.org.uk/join-pipn/.
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 9
Earlier this month we came together to discuss the Wales we need at the Welsh Planner Live on-line conference. As
always, this event provides vital input into RTPI Cymru’s policy, practice, and research work, with the debate and views of
our membership helping us to form our positions and responses.
RTPI President, Wei Yang called on planners in Wales to be “leaders and a positive driving force” in tackling the many
issues we face, including recovering from the pandemic and addressing climate change. The important role planners must
play continued to be discussed throughout the day, in a very positive, virtual chat!
Auriol Miller from the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA)
called for transport to feature higher up the agenda
when planning our town centres and communities,
something which the RTPI has long called for. The
importance of improving public transport provision was
addressed in many of the sessions, alongside discussion
on the practicalities and barriers in relation to pandemic
restrictions, such as social distancing. The session on
‘transport solutions supporting town centres’, finished with
a look to the future, with the trailing of e-cargo bikes, car
sharing etc. as alternatives to car use in the future. Watch
this space!
Case studies from across Wales gave us the opportunity
Above: Simon Gale gives us reasons to be cheerful when talking for shared learning on how we support thriving
about high streets. communities, including how a strategic approach to
acquiring land in Rhondda Cynon Taff has help improve
high streets and communities.
Another hot topic for the RTPI Cymru Policy Team and many Local Planning Authorities at the moment is the impact of
holiday accommodation, including short-term lets and second homes on communities. We heard from speakers from
across Wales that are grappling with the flip side of tourism and the impact second homes often have on our communities,
sometimes resulting in loss of vital rural services such as schools and post
offices and impacting on the use of Welsh language in our communities.
Gwynedd Council addressed the issue head on, with their research
into holiday homes last year and we wait with interest for further policy
developments in this area.
RTPI Cymru will continue to engage with stakeholders on these and other
important matters and we look forward to working with Welsh Government
and other stakeholders in the future on these and many other issues.
Rhian is Policy Officer for RTPI Cymru and can be contacted by e-mail:
rhian.brimble@rtpi.org.uk
10 Cynllunio - Summer 2021RTPI President addresses Welsh Planner Live
It’s my great pleasure to attend the RTPI Planner Live Wales
conference.
There is no better time to talk about this big agenda - Plan the Wales
We Need. Tackling climate action, investing in public transport and
active travel, providing quality affordable homes, and the focus
on strengthening Welsh language communities are all high on the
Welsh government’s agenda.
2020 surpassed 2019 as the second hottest year on record. The
climate and biodiversity crises are two sides of the same coin,
and there is linkage between them and the pandemic. If the right
approach is taken, we can find a ‘high nature and low carbon’
solution. Last week, on the World Environment Day, the UN Decade
Above: RTPI President Wei Yang addresses Welsh of Ecosystem Restoration was launched. It is a global rallying
Planner Live call to heal our planet. Town planners can play a vital part in this
movement.
The new report published on the day - Ecosystem Restoration for People, Nature and Climate highlighted that humanity is
using about 1.6 times the amount of services that nature can provide sustainably. That means conservation efforts alone are
not sufficient to prevent large-scale ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss. Ecosystems require urgent restoration include
farmlands, forests, grasslands, mountains, freshwaters, peatlands, as well as developments in our cities, towns and villages.
Future Wales – the National Plan 2040 set the direction for development in Wales for the next 20 years. As a spatial plan,
Future Wales sets the direction for where the nation should be investing in infrastructure and development for the greater
good of Wales and its people. The spatial plan sets a perfect foundation which enables us to adopt a place-based systems’
approach to the climate & biodiversity emergency.
A place-based systems’ approach would align local development frameworks and local plans with the national sustainability
agenda, create mechanisms which enable planning across local authority boundaries. We need a long term strategic urban
– rural integrated approach, which considers the whole territory as one ecological entity.
We need to think multi-functionality & take multi-disciplinary approaches. It can maximise the efficiency and effectiveness, in
planning more green spaces for existing communities, new national park, new national forest, green transport corridors, new
communities, low carbon transportation, as well as vibrant town centres for people to live, work and play.
Planning service is an essential public service. I believe - what we need is a long-term mechanism to value ‘Social Capital’ in
our planning system, and use ‘public money for public goods’ by investing in planning.
Planners can work with a wide range of stakeholders to set priorities to address poverty and inequality issues, which can
significantly reduce the burden on social and health care in medium and long term.
To deliver an effective planning system, we would welcome establish Chief Planning Officer positions in all Local Planning
Authorities and chartered town planning apprenticeships in Wales.
Planning is people centric! Good planning can bring the best out of people to enjoy their lives and at the same time
contribute to our society and economy.
There is a strong request from the public for more sustainable and integrated systems to strengthen social protection,
recover from COVID-19, and to ensure digital access, good healthcare and education, as well as decent homes for all.
The pandemic, and the consequent accelerated digitisation of our lives, will have fundamental implications on land use and
transportation planning. We need to urgently address future trends in planning policies.
According to a recent study carried out by the RTPI - The Future of Engagement - more than half of the general public
surveyed felt, that in order to adapt to the post pandemic life - changes to local places and services are needed. And local
people should be involved in making these decisions.
Most people are willing to get involved in local decision making. 63% feel they could be motivated to participate in the future.
56% of young people aged 16-34 think communities need to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change, and
want to be involved in those decisions.
Planners, we plan for the future and we learn with the future, we should be leaders and positive driving forces to help
communities navigate change and prepare for an uncertain future. I believe the fundamental objective of the planning
profession is to create a balanced system for people, nature and society to coexist in harmony. Planners play a crucial role
to make connections between plan-making and place-making.
I am delighted that we are gathered here today with leaders across a wide spectrum to discuss the key issues to Plan the
Wales We Need. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can work together to create a brighter future for all in
Wales.
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 11What can planners do to promote placemaking principles in Wales?
It’s been almost eight months since the Placemaking Wales Charter was
launched. The reception to the Charter has largely been positive with over 50
organisations already having signed up, including RTPI Cymru, a range of
planning and architectural consultancies, local authorities and housebuilders
active in Wales.
Similar charters seeking to uphold design quality are well established
elsewhere (such as in Cambridgeshire) and are currently being prepared in
other regions (such as the West of England) and will likely become more of a
feature in the way that we plan, design, deliver and manage places.
Placemaking ‘front and centre’
Since the release of the 10th Edition of Planning Policy Wales (PPW) in
2018, placemaking - referenced 77 times in PPW - has been fully embedded
into the Welsh planning system. Placemaking continues to be front and Above: Joe Ayoubkhani
centre in both the 11th edition of PPW and in the Welsh Government’s
Building Better Places document which sets out the Welsh Government’s planning policy priorities as part of our
recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also a key part of the recently issued Future Wales publication with
specific placemaking policies now set at the national level.
The Placemaking Wales Charter provides a simpler set of principles that can be followed by a wide range of
stakeholders. There is no question that the Charter seeks to deliver something I am sure we all want to provide -
high quality places for the benefit of the community. As a profession, we are fortunate in that we can help shape
and create places. So, what steps can we take to promote the principles in the Charter?
Embracing the principles “As a profession, we are fortunate
Firstly, everyone engaged with planning and design needs to embrace in that we can help shape and
the principles from the outset; they should help inform discussions with create places.”
landowners and promotion of sites through Local Development Plans. Site
selection, collaboration and deliverability is key!
As a profession, planners are well placed to drive the placemaking agenda. Many will have experience of design
guidance being ignored or overlooked (such as the low uptake of the Manual for Streets amongst highway
engineers). The Charter provides a lever to enable a step change in approach from other professions engaged in
design and development.
A reduction in funding for local authority planning teams has seen a loss of capacity and in-house design
specialism. Proper resources and training need to be directed to those involved in plan preparation and decision-
making to broaden the skills base and engage planning officers and planning committee members with the
principles of the Charter.
And finally, as an industry, we should of course not forget – and, indeed, should celebrate - the achievements
of previous projects already delivered. The Charter’s principles are not altogether new in themselves and more
should be done to shout about the benefits that good planning has provided in helping make successful places.
Joe Ayoubkhani
Planning Associate at Barton Willmore and RTPI Cymru Junior Vice Chair
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12 Cynllunio - Summer 2021Welsh Places Charter
RTPI Cymru Director, Roisin Willmott has been a member of the
Welsh Places Influencing Group, convened by the Institute of
Welsh Affairs (IWA). The group, led by the IWA’s Understanding
Welsh Places Lead Ellen Jones has been undertaking research,
analysis and engagement to develop the Welsh Places Charter,
which was launched in May.
As a result of this work a set of recommendations have been
developed, with a particular focus on strengthening local
democracy and increasing prosperity as a means to contribute to
wellbeing.
There are a total of nine recommendations aimed at strengthening local democracy available in the full report
and we also put forward a series of recommendations outlining how to create prosperous Welsh places that
enable wellbeing to thrive.
These recommendations include measures to maintain a town centre first approach, introduce a Future of
Welsh Towns Fund, and to establish a Smart Towns Initiative. The measures would contribute to increasing
the resilience of Welsh places, helping to stem the long-term problems that have been exacerbated by the
pandemic. The report also contains a series of recommendations to strengthen local democracy, which include
a Town and Community Council Development Fund, introducing deliberative democracy tools, a Community
Enabling Fund, and decisive measures to promote diversity.
The Charter can be viewed here:www.iwa.wales/our-work/work/welsh-places-charter/
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Cynllunio - Summer 2021 13Manifesto meets many key needs identified by RTPI Cymru
In December 2020, RTPI Cymru published our asks of the Parties’ manifestos for the May Senedd Cymru
elections. under the banner Plan the Wales We Need.
Welsh Labour won 30 of the 60 seats in the Senedd at the elections and has formed the Welsh Government. We
are pleased to see the Welsh Labour manifesto meets many of the key issues raised by us, including tackling
climate action, investing in public transport and active travel, and the delivery of quality affordable homes,
including a focus on strengthening Welsh language communities.
The RTPI’s Plan the World We Need Campaign called for “a common purpose among a wide range of
stakeholders, coordinating decisions about land use, infrastructure, resources and investments” to encourage a
behavioural change over time.
We therefore welcome Welsh Labour’s commitment to launching a new 10-year Wales Infrastructure Investment
Plan for a zerocarbon economy. This will be vital in supporting Wales in meeting its challenging climate change
targets moving forward. However it is essential that this reads directly across to Future Wales and there is direct
synergy. There was no mention of Future Wales – The National Plan 2040 in the manifesto and given its status
as development plan for Wales and a world first achieved by the Welsh Labour Government it should be central
to the Government’s plans.
We support Welsh Labour’s pledge to coordinate regional transport and land use planning, along with the
strengthened promotion of walking and cycling, both important priorities which the RTPI has long called for.
Wales already has a strong legislative framework in place addressing wellbeing, environmental and climate
action issues. We believe this framework will be further strengthened by Welsh Labour’s proposal for a Clean Air
Act which aims to “extend the provision of air quality monitoring to encourage positive behaviour change”.
RTPI Cymru looks forward to working closely with Welsh Government and stakeholders on the development of
this proposal to ensure appropriate linkages are made to planning policy. However missing from the manifesto is
a commitment to bring forward new bills on planning law consolidation – of which much of the work has already
been done – which will reduce ambiguities in the current law which has developed over many years of changes
in the law. There was also no commitment to bring forward legislation on infrastructure consenting – this is
urgently needed for Wales to effectively make the decisions on the large scale infrastructure devolved to it by the
Wales Act 2017.
We welcome the commitment to fund additional flood protection along with the focus around nature-based flood
management, in particular in relation to sustainable drainage systems that provide wildlife habitats. We also look
forward to further details on the National Forest for Wales, as set out in Future Wales – The National Plan 2040.
We will continue to work with the Welsh Government to support an
“As a key priority we will continue
effective planning service for Wales. As a key priority we will continue to
highlight the need to invest in planning services to enable the delivery of to highlight the need to invest
sustainable development on the ground. in planning services to enable
RTPI Cymru looks forward to building on the relationship we have had
the delivery of sustainable
with the Government which recognises how planners, planning and the development on the ground.”
planning system can support their ambitions. As essential components
to delivering an effective planning system, we will continue to engage on the opportunities for the introduction of
a chartered town planning apprenticeships and establishing the role of the Chief Planning Officers within Local
Planning Authorities.
We are also pleased to see Julie James MS continue to be the Minister
responsible for planning within her new and exciting role as Minister for
Climate Change. This new portfolio, supported by the Deputy Minister, Lee
Walters MS, brings together key responsibilities for taking climate action and
we see planning as one of those essential functions.
The Welsh Government Programme for Government 2021 - 2026 which sets
out the activities and commitments of Government over the next five years
was published in June and can be accessed here: gov.wales/sites/default/files/
publications/2021-06/programme-for-government-2021-to-2026.pdf.
14 Cynllunio - Summer 2021Programme for Government - Headlines for Planning
Here are the headlines from the Programme for Government published in June 2021, which relate to planning / built
environment. The full Programme for Government 2021-2026 can be viewed here: gov.wales/programme-for-government-
2021-to-2026
Provide effective, high quality and sustainable healthcare
We will continue to support our health workers, protect the NHS, deepen the integration of services, improve accessibility, reduce carbon
in the design of new facilities, extend the use of new technologies and support people to live healthy lives.
Protect, re-build and develop our services for vulnerable people
Support innovative housing development to meet care needs
Build an economy based on the principles of fair work, sustainability and the industries and services of the future
• Develop a Tidal Lagoon Challenge and support ideas that can make Wales a world centre of emerging tidal technologies.
• Enable our town centres to become more agile economically by helping businesses to work co-operatively, increase their digital
offer and support local supply chains, including local delivery services.
• Seek a 30% target for working remotely.
Build a stronger, greener economy as we make maximum progress towards decarbonisation
Devolution gives us the opportunity to re-build our economy and develop a modern and productive infrastructure which acts as an engine
for inclusive and sustainable growth. ... New digital, economic and transport infrastructures will re-build and re-energise our communities.
• Launch a new 10-year Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan for a zero-carbon economy.
• Deliver the Digital Strategy for Wales and upgrade our digital and communications infrastructure.
• Create a modern legislative basis for transport in Wales.
• Lift the ban on local authorities setting up new municipal bus companies.
• Implement our new Wales Transport Strategy.
• Work towards our new target of 45% of journeys by sustainable modes by 2040, setting more stretching goals where possible.
• Take forward the Burns Commission report for Newport.
• Develop a new major routes fund to improve the attractiveness and biodiversity of areas alongside major transport routes in Wales.
Embed our response to the climate and nature emergency in everything we do
We have the vision and ambition to address the climate and nature emergency. We will deliver a green transformation which starts in our
local communities, with a focus on local green spaces, locally-grown sustainable food, locally-generated renewable energy and avoiding
waste. We will make sure that nature and the climate are on the agenda of every public service and private sector business, and we will
integrate positive action for nature into more of our economic activity.
• Create a National Forest to extend from the North of Wales to the South.
• Harness the economic, cultural, and recreational potential of the National Forest as part of progress towards a sustainable timber
industry.
• Introduce legislation to deal with the legacy of centuries of mining and ensure coal tip safety; strengthening local authority powers
to protect the public and the environment.
• Introduce a Clean Air Act for Wales, consistent with World Health Organisation guidance and extend the provision of air quality
monitoring.
• Designate a new National Park to cover the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.
• Uphold our policy of opposing the extraction of fossil fuels in Wales, both on land and in Welsh waters, using the powers available
to us.
• Expand arrangements to create or significantly enhance green spaces.
Continue our long-term programme of education reform, and ensure educational inequalities narrow and standards rise
• Invest in the learning environment of community schools, co-locating key services, ...
Celebrate diversity and move to eliminate inequality in all of its forms
• Make our Welsh public transport system more accessible to disabled people.
Push forward towards a million Welsh speakers, and enable our tourism, sports and arts industries to thrive
• Create a Welsh language Communities Housing Plan.
• Invest in our theatres and museums, including committing to Theatr Clwyd, establishing the Football Museum and the National
Contemporary Art Gallery
• Support the application to identify the slate landscape of North West Wales as a World Heritage Site.
Make our cities, towns and villages even better places in which to live and work
• We will continue to build climate-secure homes for the future and develop Welsh businesses to support our building industry. We
will continue to support our partners in local government and invest in local public services and local democracy – the glue that
binds communities together.
• Build 20,000 new low carbon social homes for rent.
• Support cooperative housing, community-led initiatives, and community land trusts.
• Create a timber based industrial strategy that can develop and sustain the high value production and processing of Welsh wood.
• Decarbonise more homes through retrofit, delivering quality jobs, training and innovation using local supply chains.
• Improve building safety so that people feel safe and secure in their homes.
• Explore where services and contracts can sustainably and affordably be brought back into a strengthened public sector. Ensure
that each region in Wales has effective and democratically accountable means of developing their future economies.
• Make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas.
• Ban pavement parking wherever possible.
Cynllunio - Summer 2021 15You can also read
