Engineers, local planners and business representatives met with a local MP to discuss the issues and challenges posed by the Localism Bill to infrastructure planning and development.
Through the Localism Bill, the coalition government is aiming to move from the current ‘top down’ style of government to a ‘bottom up’ system where local councils and communities play a more active role.
Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire, spoke at a briefing hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) East Midlands region in Nottingham.
Mr Bridgen commented: “At the heart of this government’s growth plan is the localism agenda.
“We believe that local authorities who know their area best should be given the power and responsibility to deliver growth in housing, jobs, regeneration and the economy, a totally different approach from the national and regional plans that went before.”
Also speaking at the event was Kevin Whiteside, Head of Strategy and Development at Northamptonshire based integrated highways services company MGWSP and Vice-Chairman of ICE’s Localism Panel.
He outlined the challenges which the act can pose for delivering and maintaining infrastructure.
“There is no doubt that government has a set out a radical agenda for change. It will affect all of us in the construction and development industry – it is an exciting and challenging time.
“However to be successful all the details have to be right and the vision has to be translated into meaningful and effective action. I think the jury is still out on that.”
In particular, ICE has concerns about revisions made to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which will allow funds raised to be passed to third parties, such as community groups. Government is also considering the possibility of allowing CIL to be spent on affordable housing.
ICE considers the levy should be used for its original purpose; that of funding important new infrastructure projects. Due to a history of under-investment, meaning that the some of the UK’s infrastructure compares unfavourably with other advanced nations and is in urgent need of repair and replacement.
The Localism Bill also relies on greater co-operation between district/borough authorities. ICE has previously called for strengthening and clarity of the ‘Duty to Cooperate’ clause, which is intended to facilitate cooperation between planning authorities.
An amended Clause was produced at Report stage however ICE remains concerned Government’s approach to ensuring ‘larger than local’ infrastructure is properly planned for and delivered may still not be sufficient to overcome incentives for local areas to prioritise very local plans without full regard for how developments might impact on neighbouring localities.
Questions were also raised about the formation of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) as there is no statutory definition of a LEP and, although good practice is being followed by existing LEPs in the region, the remit is unclear, relying on co-operation with local authorities and other bodies.
Robert Armitage, Regional Chairman – ICE East Midlands, who chaired the breakfast briefing said of the event: “I am pleased that the attendees have gone away with a better understanding of localism, which is a complicated and unclear issue, thanks to the valuable presentations by our speakers, addressing local issues and taking part in a meaningful discussion of the subject.”