Planning - Social
The planning system is fundamental in delivering sustainable development by setting a vision, then controlling how developments fit the vision. Prevailing social attitudes influence that vision. The current trend sees regional assemblies preparing social and cultural strategies, whilst local authorities are investigating social inclusion and producing community safety strategies.
It is often the element of social success that is most difficult to predict and measure when planning developments. The central government guidance explained in the introduction to this section attempts to address the social arena. For example, Planning Policy Guidance note 3 is a key guidance on affordable housing. Community strategies and other actions from Local Strategic Partnerships often have a strong social focus. The recent Sustainable Communities Plan from the ODPM lists the key requirements for a sustainable community, some of which are social:
- effective engagement and participation by local people, groups and businesses, especially in the planning, design and long-term stewardship of their community, and an active voluntary and community sector;
- a well-integrated mix of decent homes of different types and tenures to support a range of household sizes, ages and incomes;
- good-quality local public services, including education and training opportunities, health care and community facilities, especially for leisure;
- a diverse, vibrant and creative local culture, encouraging pride in the community and cohesion within it.
Respond to regeneration impacts required in regional or local economic strategies.
It is when regeneration is required, generally due to social breakdown in an area, that decision makers realise that economic and environmental measures are insufficient to improve an area. Developers are now needing to assess the social capital they are dealing with, and acting to increase it. There are still problems in agreeing a long-term vision that satisfies all levels of the development process. Local government regulation has sought to encourage authorities to enter into partnerships with other interested bodies to deliver long-term sustainable benefits to the community.
One such private/public project was the Lowry Centre Footbridge (demonstration number 39) which involved the fabrication, treatment and construction of a hydraulically operated, 90m span, steel foot and cycle bridge.
The structure connects the new Lowry Centre on the north side and the Imperial War Museum on the south side, at Salford Quays. Though classified as a public sector project, the project involved significant input from elements of the private sector and the Lowry Trust Development Company. The bridge has Development Company. The bridge has formed a fundamental part of the regeneration of the area into a social asset for Greater Manchester.
Use data from public consultations and participation.
Progress in covering social sustainability through the planning system has involved the use of public consultations. Local authorities, LSPs, developers and designers are using community involvement to help their decision-making. Community participation has been formalised through the development of schemes such as Enquire by Design and Planning for Real. Such schemes ensure members of the local community are treated with respect, and provide methodologies to gain useful outputs from consultation.
While the public generally does not engage with regional and local plans, there is greater concern for the potential impact of individual developments. In formal public consultation processes, the public can often be the source of design ideas, as well as current and potential uses of the project. From the developers perspective this can also help minimise trouble and maximise support, during construction and use, by fostering a good relationship with the local community.
School Works (demonstration number 236) sought to explore how improvement in secondary school buildings might enhance academic achievement. Questions were asked about how the fabric of the school could be changed to create a sense of pride and pleasure amongst pupils and staff, within existing budgetary constraints. School Works was funded by DfES to investigate these issues, effect practical change within a partner secondary school, and inform government policy.
The aims of School Works were to revolutionise the process of designing and procuring a school building, and to draw out the connections between the school building and the social, emotional and educational development of young people. School Works helped to redesign Kingsdale School in Southwark as a test case.
The most important aspect of the project was the full participation of pupils and teachers in the plan and design. The project had the support of the then Schools Standards Minister, Estelle Morris MP, and was recognised as a national model.
Larger scheme require affordable housing and a mix of housing types and tenures.
Increasing the proportion of affordable housing in new developments has sometimes proven both controversial with the professional development community, yet beneficial from the perspective of the local community.
Changes in demographics and the family unit have exerted pressures for change in provision of housing throughout communities. In areas where the population is increasing, such as south east England, local authorities and developers are trying to respond to housing demand. Where population is decreasing, large-scale housing regeneration and renewal is underway. Authorities throughout the UK are also considering the need for affordable housing in relation to social regeneration and key worker housing. Partnerships between private developers and housing associations, through Section 106 agreements, are becoming a common way of delivering mixed tenure developments.
Netherne-on-the-Hill (demonstration number 1033) involved the creation of a new village on the site of a former isolation hospital. 43 of the 185 acres were developed to provide housing with community, commercial and sports facilities. The new village has a mix of homes ranging from large detached properties and luxury apartments to retirement homes and affordable housing. 25% of the housing is affordable and 60% of the affordable housing is two and three-bed units.
For high density, mixed use developments plan for high quality public space and safe public transport accessibility
Recent Planning Policy Guidance and outputs from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) are resulting in more dense developments. When density is increased, high quality transport and leisure facilities are vital for the cohesiveness and functionality of the community. The ODPM has highlighted the importance of green spaces and many local authorities are preparing green-space strategies. Transport infrastructure, particularly provision of amenities to encourage use of public transport are often part of planning agreements. This is in response to the Government's ten year plan for transport.
In addition to the affordable housing aspect, Netherne also sought to address issues of public amenity, public transport access and public open spaces. The Section 106 agreement called for Gleeson Homes to sponsor a mini-bus service for residents over the first three years of the life of the development. After three years a commercial service should be viable. Existing public green spaces (a bowling green, cricket pitch and nearby football pitch) were all maintained or enhanced by the developer, and a village green will be created at the heart of the development.