A specialism of Addison’s is the provision of support to local authorities to promote improvements in planning processes and outcomes. We continually seek best practice and share that intelligence more widely so building our own capacity and that of the wider planning community.
We undertake these activities through:
• direct support to authorities in full or part review of the service area
• supporting teams in problem solving and the identification of service improvements
• the production and dissemination of good practice guidance
• designing and running workshops and other support packages for the Planning Advisory Service and other agencies
• advice to government departments and other agencies.
Recent project:
SDC – Consultancy support on the implications of the Planning Act 2008, 2010
We were commissioned to provide consultancy support to the Sustainable Development Commission on the implications of the Planning Act 2008. This work covered four distinct areas of support;
• draft responses to two National Planning Statements, Ports and Energy, with a possible third on National Networks;
• a protocol for engagement with the IPC;
• production of guidance for developers and the IPC on the application of sustainable development principles to planning proposals and decision-making
• preparation of a capability building support programme to the IPC on the guidance
The work undertaken included expert knowledge in key areas including technical planning expertise and experience of strategic planning issues through the development process and the planning policy frameworks.
Other projects:
Analysis of arrangements for policy production and implementation, and the identification of actions for improvement – Metropolitan Unitary Authority.
Production of a diagnostic analysis template for development management performance - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
Preparation of framework of Councillor Competencies for planning - PAS
Evaluation and reporting of the reasons for levels of performance and the underlying processes on those planning authorities identified as being "at risk" of not meeting national planning targets - DCLG
Advice to a local authority on how to improve its section 106 processes - Birmingham
Advice to local authorities on suitable improvements to the development control service - Selby, Southwark, Haringey, East Hertfordshire.
Formulation of a benchmark for an "ideal" spatial planning service (and its predecessors) - IDeA
Developing Good Practice Guidance on handling major applications - PAS
Inputting to the establishment of e-planning standards - PARSOL
Providing training to a number of local authorities on a wide range of subjects including:
• securing travel plans through planning - Dorset and Somerset
• probity for councillors and officers
• local development frameworks including members role