Planning Delivery Agreements : our part in the pilot.

1
Planning Delivery Agreements our part in the
pilot.

• ANDREW DOBSON
• HEAD OF PLANNING SERVICES

2
Why did we take part

• We were facing a severe uphill challenge to
  regenerate our historic city
• With a sceptical community blocking progress.

3
Positive Advantages for us

• Confirmation that we were following correct
  procedures.
• Proof that the Councils actions were perfectly
  normal and lawful.
• Certainty and legitimacy attached to the pre
  application process.

4
The challenges we face

• Aggressive third parties.
• No private sector expertise locally.
• Divided Council.
• History of patchy delivery.

5
Our Development Project

• Major extension to City Centre retail offer.
• Mixed use with Offices, residential, and
  expansion to cultural facilities.
• The Developer is Centros Miller with Montague
  Evans and Read Archictect advising.

6
The benefits for delivery

• Writing the Rules of Engagement in the Charter.
• A clear yet flexible project plan.
• Formalising Development Team workshops.
• Joint ownership of the problems encountered.
• Some leverage with statutory consultees to
  engage.

7
Howevernot everything went well !!

• Local opposition group misrepresented role of
  Project Champions.
• Vital Statutory Consultee failed to engage then
  places significant obstacles in place at late
  stage in the process.
• Vital area of evidence not addressed by
  applicants earlier.

8
Lessons to be learnt

• Re-label role of Project Champion and clearly
  define LPA and Development Champions role.
• Use Charter to spell out Planners objectives and
  give public confidence in LPAs role.
• Obligate Central Government agencies to take
  part.