Whose Job is it to Sell the Benefits of a Development?
Why is it that in the vast majority of cases, press coverage of a new development is negative? It’s nothing new that press coverage tends to focus on bad news rather than good news and that people are more likely to comment (generally on social media these days) if they are unhappy about a new development being planned in their community. People rarely speak up in support of a new development.
Those involved in the planning and development sector are hardened to the level of criticism directed at new development and the inaccuracies often reported about the actual benefits or likely positive impacts arising from a development. Perhaps the level of criticism is so high, or so prevalent, that those involved in the planning and development sector do nothing to seek to correct the inaccuracies or are prepared to stand out from the crowd to explain the benefits that a new development will bring. Perhaps it’s a case of why bother?
But if we believe in something, and those in the planning and development sector generally believe passionately in what they are proposing, then surely we all have a responsibility to say so.
This means that it is the responsibility of Government (national and local), developers, housebuilders, land promoters, planning consultants, masterplanners, local planning authority planning officers and policy makers, plus other technical consultants involved in the development process to speak up about the benefits of a development.
Surely the greatest benefit of a new housing development is that it provides homes for people to live.
And if that’s not enough, then there are so many other benefits arising from a development. Some can be obvious, like the restoration or regeneration of a redundant area or building, delivery of affordable homes or public assets like a hospital or a school or a public open space, some benefits are often not always that obvious. This is because many planning benefits are delivered off site or through financial contributions. Many don’t realise that highway infrastructure improvements, education facilities, health facilities, community halls, public open spaces and public realm improvements, libraries, allotments, and public art are generally funded by developers through s106 planning obligations or through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Without this investment, which can often be in excess of £20,000 per home, many of the community facilities and services would not receive funding.
There are also significant indirect benefits arising from development. This starts with the job creation arising from the construction process, and operational jobs arising from many non-residential schemes, the community spend from the new residents which is essential to maintain services and for the viability of local businesses like shops, public houses and cafes, and to ensure that there are sufficient people to support community facilities and services like schools, libraries and bus services. Without more people spending in their local communities, some of these businesses will be lost forever.
The irony is that those who oppose development tend to be the same people who criticise the closure of a pub, the loss of a bus services, closure of a village school, or complain because they cannot get a doctor, dentist, nurse appointment and that their local school does not have sufficient teachers and support staff. The reason for this is often that the teachers, nurses and doctors cannot afford to live in some areas. New development brings homes and infrastructure and funding which benefits not just those moving into the homes, but the existing community around them.
There is a hugely divided opinion in the country as to whether there is a housing crisis. Some (generally those who own their own home) are quick to oppose development in their community as they do not see the difficulties experienced by many of finding a quality home to rent or buy, at a cost that is affordable to them, where their families can feel safe. Surely it is a basic human right to have a safe and comfortable place to live? Too many people are still living in temporary accommodation, poor quality homes with issues like damp or mould, or in cramped conditions because they cannot afford a home sufficiently large enough for their family. Sadly, for many in 21st Century Britain, having a quality place to call home (whether owned, privately rented or rented through an affordable housing provider) is a dream. Why therefore is there so much opposition to housing development?
I am proud to have chosen a career which delivers regeneration and homes, plus jobs and other community infrastructure. I’m proud of the homes that I have helped to secure planning permission for, and for all the community infrastructure that has been funded through these developments. I am proud of my clients who have built beautiful new homes, including affordable homes, which enable people to have a safe and affordable place to live. I am proud of the neighbourhoods that many of the schemes I have been involved in have created; the public realm improvements, the parks, public open spaces and areas of biodiversity so that not only are we creating homes for people to live, but improving green spaces for nature. Like most in the planning and development sector, I am proud of what I do, although like most, I could do more to speak up about the planning benefits of development to counter the voices of those who are quick to oppose it.
It’s a call to arms. Isn’t it time that everyone in the planning and development sector stood up about the huge benefits arising from new developments?