Following a Roundtable event hosted by Burges Salmon, Place, Pace and Productivity was the theme for the launch of the garden communities report by UKBCSD and our partners, LDA-Design. The Roundtable panel had agreed three strategic directions for further research by UKBCSD, which were detailed in the report which focused on delivering differently. The resulting three propositions offer practical ways to shake up the planning and development culture that could so easily fall into the trap of delivering more of the same:
1.Infrastructure First Planning initiated by a Planning Pilot, supported and promoted by the government to demonstrate how we can align infrastructure and land use planning activities to enhance delivery
The discussion focussed on delivery and this timely report presents a case for delivering differently if we are to achieve the aspiration of creating sustainable places, fulfilling the livelihood and lifestyle needs of future communities. Our guest speaker for the evening was Lynda Addison OBE, an experienced practitioner whose tenacity in bringing forward one of the earliest garden village concepts, was tempered with caution as we have yet to see a new Garden settlement delivered in the UK.
The dinner guests welcomed the report, recommending additional priorities for action crucial for promoting certainty for all stakeholders:
Accessible = Sustainable: priority must be given to accessible locations, to avoid inhibiting sustainability.
Take the people with us: community engagement is critical but collectively we have a poor track record of doing this, with some appalling quality in the past. We must improve communication, delivering fearless, non-adversarial engagement with people.
Accentuate the positives: a commercial strategy for Garden Communities is needed that articulates the benefits for people and society (akin to what David Attenborough did for Plastics)
Culture Change
It was agreed that Planning should be ‘professionalised’, giving more power to officers and a greater, holistic focus on delivery. This must address where we want to be hence collaborative working across disciplines is critical, to give credible, transformational delivery.
One coherent voice
The launch guests agreed that bringing the Business community closer to Government on this agenda, is an important next step for UKBCSD.
We wish to extend our thanks to the following organisations for their contributions to the debate at this Launch event:
Anglian Water
Ardmore
Axis Land Partnerships
BSRIA Sustainable Construction Group
Burges Salmon
CBRE
Caledonian Modular
Carr Development Consultancy Ltd
Cornwall Council
Engie UK & Ireland
Federation of Master Builders
Garden Cities Development CIC
LDA-Design
Longhurst Group
Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
Town & Country Planning Association
UK Regeneration
Delivered in partnership with