‘Disjointed policy risks economic growth’, says report
‘Whitehall turf wars’ have been blamed by a think tank for jeopardising economic growth and recovery.
The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) claims a lack of ‘overall, joined-up policy’ is undermining attempts to coordinate planning for big infrastructure projects such as roads, ports and railways.
The report by the housing and planning charity says national policy statements –a cornerstone of England’s planning system – are leaving different government departments to make their own plans for major projects.
Connecting local economies - the transport implications, argues for example, where a new high-speed rail link is planned that will create jobs and bring people into an area, too little consideration is being given to the demand it will create for an extra power station or new roads.
While supporting policy statements in principle, the TCPA criticises the ‘fragmented’ way they are being developed and says the current process ‘needs urgent re-appraisal in the interests of making a market economy work better’.
TCPA president Sir Peter Hall said: ‘England desperately needs an integrated transport investment strategy in which each piece of the system makes its own optimal contribution, linking together into a seamless web of efficient and sustainable connections.’
The TCPA published its findings on the same day the government announced new properties in the four eco-town areas will be built to the ‘toughest ever environmental’ standards.
The £60m investment – welcomed as ‘an important step’ by the TCPA - will help four eco-towns design, plan and build properties and neighbourhoods to world-leading environmental standards, incorporating smart meters, electric car charging points and systems for saving water and recycling or composting waste.
Nearly a third of the homes will be affordable, existing transport links will be improved with green travel hubs and facilities and some primary schools and libraries will be retrofitted.
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