Learning outcomes
Code Description
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles underlying the UK planning system and the key stakeholders involved to enable the definition and analysis of planning problems to provide reasoned judgements.
LO2 Discuss the various levels of policymaking and explain how they interact in theory and practice.
LO3 Identify the levels of plan making; articulate how the levels and stakeholders interact; and explain how planning is applied to land use and development decisions.
LO4 Explain the main planning policy topic areas, the key problems that exist, the issues they raise and illustrate sustainable solutions to tackle them.
Scenario With a current population of 80,000, St. Elsewhere is the largest town in its District Council area. However, the town centre has been in decline for some years, as its mix of retail, office and food/drink service businesses have not adapted well to economic change. Around 25% of all retail, office and food/drink service premises in the town centre were already vacant at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in March 2020. By October 2021, this level of vacancies had risen to 35%, and it is likely that more closures will happen in the absence of prompt, co-ordinated local action.
St. Elsewhere District Council have contracted your independent planning consultancy to prepare a series of reports assessing how the planning system can help make its town centre more vibrant and sustainable in the medium to long term.
As a member of the team preparing these reports, you have been tasked to undertake a critical evaluation of TWO of the measures set out in Chapter 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which seek to ‘support the role that town centres play at the heart of their communities, by taking a positive approach to their growth, management and adaptation.’ (MHCLG 2019)
Task Write a report that:
• explains the key aims and objectives of TWO measures listed in Chapter 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework; and • critically evaluates how those TWO measures could be applied to address the challenges St Elsewhere town centre faces.
Support the arguments you make with reference to ‘real-world’ examples of town centre regeneration policy and practice in England and/or another jurisdiction with which you are familar.
An executive summary is not required.
Reference Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (2019) National Planning Policy Framework [online]. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy- framework–2 [accessed 4 August 2021].
