Effective Cross-Border Regional Planning?

London and the Rest of the South East

Martin Simmons

Proposition

Present organisation of regional planning inhibits effective planning for the wider functional metropolitan region

The London boundary is a planning barrier…

Regional Planning Administration post-2000

(after SERPLAN and RPG 9)

3 regions Mayor of London: prepares and after EiP

publishes SDS > London Plan 2004 East of England & South East Regional

Assemblies: 2004 PCP Act - prepare draft RSSs, EiP, Government modifies and publishes – 2006?

Key Inter-Regional/Functional Metropolitan Region Issues

Population: extent of movement out of London and housing demand

Labour Market: central London’s reach; cross-border commuting in and out

Location of economic development: central London; locations beyond M25

London Plan and SCP Growth Area Spatial Strategies: key corridors

Polycentricity: ‘hub’ growth – competing or complementarity?Transport: road use/congestion; rail route utilisation strategies/ Mayoral powers

Environment: green belt; waste/recycling, energy.

Thames Gateway

sui generis - established regeneration area straddling the 3 regions

Government-led since 1995 (RPG 9a) > Sustainable Communities Plan Growth Area

Inter-Regional Forum produces 2004 joint planning statement

London Plan 2004 Cross-border intentions

‘Centre of a metropolitan region’: inter-regional collaboration acknowledged

Sub-regional scale: development frameworks (SRDFs) to involve adjoining regions

Situation/evidence to date: Inter-Regional Forum (5 reps. each) meets 3

times/year; agrees joint research Emerging SRDFs: intent there, but no real

collaboration evident

London Plan Key Diagram

East of England draft RSS (Dec 04 current consultation)

Core strategy refers to London influence, but no policy interaction

Sub-regional strategies ignore adjacent parts of London, particularly evident in ‘Stansted/M11’ part of London-Stansted-Cambridge SCP Growth Area

Opportunity to rectify at EiP this autumn

South East draft RSS (1 / 2) (Jan 05 current pre-submission consultation)

Core Strategy Focus development on TG and other eastern areas Housing not matching employment in the west

Issues Arising Employment projections need London dimension Labour market imbalances in TG/east Transport focus on Hubs not carried through Town centres policy needs coherence (cf. polycentricity) Implications/solutions sought within own region

Sub-Regional Strategies Definitional problems: London Fringe; Gatwick Area; W Corridor London Fringe: lack of relationship with South London Dominant centres (Croydon, Kingston) ignored Gatwick Area; excludes Redhill hub and Croydon corridor Further work envisaged: ?London dimension? SRDF links?

South East draft RSS (2 / 2)Western Corridor / Western WedgeDraft Sub-Regional Strategy Key Issue – more jobs than workforce

Can economic buoyancy be sustained Fails to answer: against faster housing

Joint 2002 study (Arup) promotes Western Wedge concept London Plan endorses SEERA strategy ignores (so far?)

Need for further work acknowledged But purpose not indicated Should it become a ‘Sustainable Communities Plan Growth area’ Or should the implications of restraint be faced up to?

Advantages of an integrated Western Wedge sub-region Nb. Heathrow; Crossrail; Centres; Development and labour capacity… Chance to improve: West London SRDF; South East EiP Or danger of serious regional planning failure

As of Mar 05, evidence largely confirms starting proposition

London Plan intentions there, but no real delivery yet

Key tests later this year: London SRDFs; East of England EiP; South East submitted RSS

Is the London Mayor able to lead on effective collaboration?

Or will Government need to act, extending the Growth Area strategy?

Are SEERA and EERA sustainable as Regional Planning Bodies?

Conclusions