Download an A4 poster for the Garden City lecture here.
Informative radio program about the new planning law
The much vaunted new planning rule book, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been in the news over the last few weeks. It is intended to replace the previous 1000+ pages of planning legislation with a 50 odd page document. This is intended to make the planning process simpler and give more voice to local councils and local people. Whether it does or not remains to be seen. Planning is not an exciting subject generally, but this is a major change and it could end up having a big impact on how our town develops in coming years. Having at least a rudimentary understanding of what’s changed, and what that might mean for us, seems then to be important.
To that end there was an informative discussion programme hosted by Clive Anderson this week. It covers the history of planning and what the NPPF might mean in practice. It’s really worth a listen to get a handle on the changes and whether the new NPPF will actually be a good thing for towns such as ours. The concept of localism is also discussed in the context of housebuilding and planning.
Click on the link below to listen:
Interestingly the contributors try to get to the bottom of exactly what ‘sustainable development’ means for towns. They end up seeming to agree that the term is a ‘meaningless concept’ to use their own words.
Our invitation to David Cameron
Planning is a big news item this week, with details of the new slimmed down planning regulations emerging today. PM David Cameron himself referred to our town as not perfect but popular. This Society therefore invites him to visit our town for a tour. He can then see for himself the successful urban design the town is famous for, as well as taking note of what may detract from that success. It’s very encouraging to see our town referenced in the national debate about the future direction of town planning. It highlights to all that Welwyn Garden City is not just another ‘clone town’ or ‘Tesco town’, but a unique and aesthetically pleasing place to live. This Society will always do its utmost to keep it that way.
The story as it appeared in this weeks Welwyn Hatfield Times is below.
