LAND AND NEW HOMES
the principle of areas and communities competing for investment and resources in order deliver growth. Growth upon which local government leaders, not national leaders, should rightly be judged. The ones to watch in this process will be cities, should the proposals for the 12 City Mayors be enacted. It remains to be seen, however, if they will be a carbon copy of the London model, but the potential is certainly there under the right conditions. In conclusion the time for lobbying
Buying land? Have a coffee with the Council Leader before submitting planning applications.’
what the state no longer can as it beats the path of retrenchment in the face of public spending constraint. The tectonic plates of local government
are shifting, and shifting fast. As soon as the local government financial settlement is known, then the final budget planning can begin and the reforms needed to ensure that services are still delivered will commence. For some this is already underway, for example Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster councils in London are already exploring the merging of services and many others are contemplating cross- service co-operation. Here, too, exist opportunities, namely
for developers and the development industry to work with councils to find mutually beneficial solutions to unlock both development and growth, but also much needed hard currency for local
26 JANUARY 2011 PROPERTYdrum
authorities. For example one such approach could be found by unlocking the potential of a local authority’s land values through development. It is through these innovative, partnership approaches, that councillors and communities will see the real benefits of development, when such development has the potential to keep open much-loved public services and provide much needed affordable housing. At long last, development, in the current economic climate, has something to offer to local communities and its something that they are more inclined than ever to accept.
The wider conTexT So on balance, Localism has to be viewed in the wider context of the changing nature of local government and public service provision, but also in the context of the determination by Government to return to
national politicians is over, yet not many developers or lobbyists have realised this. Eric Pickles has made it clear he wants to see local areas having a far greater say over their own development policies and how it is implanted, but not many developers have shifted their focus to local government leaders. Local government for too long has been overlooked in favour of national government, but this is now changing. Many believe that just because they can deal with Ministers and MPs they can deal with the local boys too. Yet this is not always the case. The new emphasis will be on understanding an area, understanding its politics (with a capital ‘P’ and small ‘p’) and taking the time – early on – to find out what the local authority wants. It’s also about establishing the right relationships; the Government wants developers and local
authorities to be working together in
a spirit of mutual interest. I finish with a small piece of (free) advice.
If you’re thinking of buying a piece of land, or have just bought it and are drawing up your plans for it, go and have a cup of coffee with the Leader of the Council or the relevant Portfolio Holder and do this well before you submit a planning application. The relationship you establish will be invaluable, it will show that you want to listen to them (actions speak louder than words), it will help to avoid misunderstandings, it will establish trust and provide a clear idea of how you can work with the planning authority. It will probably save time and, most importantly of all, money.
Gabriel Abulafia is a Director of Green Issues Communications
Add your own opinions to the debate:
www.propertydrum.com/articles/localism
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