The new UK Government appointed in July 2024 has announced their intention to overhaul planning rules.
Planning reform can have a profound impact on planning policy teams, affecting various aspects of their operations and responsibilities. Here are some of the key impacts:
Workload and Resources:
- Increased initial workload to understand and implement new regulations.
- Need for additional resources, such as budget, new hires, and training.
Training and Skill Development:
- Ongoing professional development to stay updated on new policies and tools.
- Acquisition of new skills, particularly in digital planning tools and data analysis.
Process and Workflow Changes:
- Modification of existing procedures to align with new requirements.
- Potential improvements in efficiency and decision-making processes.
Technology and Data Management:
- Adoption of new technologies like GIS and digital planning tools.
- Enhanced data collection, management, and analysis capabilities.
Policy and Regulatory Adaptation:
- Revision of existing policies to comply with new regulations.
- Ensuring legal compliance and possibly establishing new compliance mechanisms.
Public Engagement and Communication:
- Development of robust community engagement strategies.
- Improved communication plans to convey policy changes effectively.
Strategic Planning and Vision:
- Alignment of strategic planning efforts with new reform goals.
- Increased collaboration with government agencies, private partners, and community organisations.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Adaptation of performance metrics and evaluation frameworks.
- Enhanced accountability and transparency in planning processes.
Cultural and Organisational Change:
- Implementation of change management strategies to facilitate adaptation.
- Addressing potential impacts on employee morale and providing necessary support.
Overall, planning reform aims to make planning processes more efficient, transparent, and inclusive, but requires careful management of resources, skills, and stakeholder relationships to navigate the transition successfully.
While taking proactive steps to prepare for the planning reform that is likely to be introduced, consider making use of the experienced JDi Solutions team to discuss your current plan-making process and technology challenges and goals. Together we can identity appropriate technology solutions that will ease some of the challenges that such change and demands can bring.
Get in touch to discuss or book a free demo of OpusConsult and OpusMap.