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network news
  
september 2001
Welcome to the second E-newsletter from ROOM's Positive Planning Unit
This letter is emailed to all members of the Positive Planning Network (PPN) and updates you on
the initiatives undertaken as part of the DTLR-supported Positive Planning Project

  n  This edition includes:

  n  Last dates for seminar:  
PPG3 Housing - Implementing the new policy guidance
t  Manchester Wednesday 26th September  t  Peterborough Thursday 11th October t
Following the success of the previous seminars, these are the dates for the final two events.  Presentations will be given by representatives of the DTLR, housebuilding and
environmental sectors and followed by consultant led workshops.

Presentations and workshops include:
t  assessing urban housing capacity  t  managing the release of housing sites  t
t  monitoring housing provision through the planning system  t
t  pursuing a design led approach to sustainable residential quality  t  how PPG3 can work  t

Places are going fast - to book a place and find out more contact:
positive.planning@room.org.uk or freephone 0800 0184163


  n  Other events:  
room is also running a series of seminars over the next few months on new ideas for social housing as part of the Housing Corporation IGP Programme.
For more details email innovation@room.org.uk

  n  Briefing Papers:  
Series from room on positive planning, funded by the DTLR
The first Defining Positive Planning was published December 2000 (cost £5).  A summary paper of responses is available on request (see contact details).

  n  Case Studies Wanted:  
Positive Planning and the Urban and Rural White Papers
The consultancy Green Balance has been appointed to assess the role of planning in delivering the objectives set out in the urban and rural white papers.

A brief is being finalised by the consultants Green Balance on the implementation of the Urban and Rural White Papers.  Seven study topics have been selected for each paper (14 in total) to identify cases where positive planning by local authorities and others has helped achieve the White Paper's objectives. If you want to find out more, or know of examples where planning has contributed to or led initiatives designed to deliver objectives set out in the White Papers please contact Richard Bate.  Tel:  01732 763591 or email bate@greenbalance.co.uk

Positive Planning Through Development Plans.
This paper is in the final writing stages and should be available in September/ October.  Twenty examples of good practice are reviewed based on eleven key elements of a development plan.  It also explores the current legal and policy framework and includes a reference list for further reading.

Positive Planning at the Regional level.
Consultants Green Balance will be reviewing recent and existing practice in the preparation of Regional Planning Guidance for its contribution to a more positive and effective planning system.  Four topics will be addressed including regeneration in rural and urban areas, and the approach to planning for new housing, including affordable housing, following the publication of PPG3 Housing and other guidance.

If you have any comments or suggestions on the briefing papers, or knowledge of case studies that demonstrate an aspect of these please contact us.

Forthcoming Papers …

Positive Planning and Modernising Local Government
Focussing on the Best Value regime and the scope for introducing more qualitative assessments into an essentially quantitative system.  The scoping paper also covers issues including community strategies, the cabinet and scrutiny committee system, and lessons from Beacon Councils.

Positive Planning in Development Control
The Countryside Agency is supporting a project to investigate the feasibility of a new approach to assess planning applications on a basis of is a proposal'good enough to approve' rather than 'bad enough to refuse'.  This approach is set out in the Agency's publication Planning Tomorrow's Countryside.

axis logo - black on deep yellow The June/July edition includes room for housing and planning's manifesto, and a positive planning case study of consultation approaches adopted by Brighton and Hove Council to engage people who would not normally participate in the process of local plan preparation.
The August/September issue contains examples of positive planning case studies demonstrating benefits in Urban and Rural regeneration, as well as an article on managing housing assets using resource accounting rules.

Published bi-monthly, axis is the Journal of Housing, Planning and Regeneration.  axis carries regular articles on positive planning and provides a channel for information and ideas from leading researchers and analysts.  It also includes book reviews and details of room's national events.  To subscribe to axis email: chris.griffin@room.org.uk

E-News is produced by ROOM's Positive Planning Unit
contact details:
ROOM, the National Council for Housing and Planning
Address:  14 Old Street, London EC1V 9BH
E-mail:  positive.planning@room.org.uk
Telephone:  020 7251 2363
For membership: donna.penaydo@room.org.uk
  

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