From Policy to Practicality: Rethinking Planning to Deliver Growth

Following on from the flagship insight early this month, the ‘Blueprint for Growth’, we now look to deliver several insights discussing each area in more depth:

If the first discussion established that growth is not the issue, but delivery is, then planning sits firmly at the centre of that challenge.

Across the panel, there was a clear recognition that the planning system plays a critical role in shaping development across the North West. It provides structure, governance and direction. But equally, it is becoming one of the most significant pressure points in turning ambition into reality.

From a planning perspective, Rachel Poole highlighted the system’s increasing complexity. Pre-application processes are becoming longer and more detailed; documentation requirements are expanding, and local authority and statutory consultee resources are under sustained pressure. The result is a system that is, in many cases, becoming slower and more difficult to navigate. However, the issue is not simply one of process; it is one of alignment.

A consistent theme throughout the discussion was the disconnect between planning and delivery. Too often, projects are shaped around securing approval, with less focus on how they will be built in practice. As Angela Mansell noted during the discussion, this creates a fundamental challenge. Schemes may be viable on paper, but once delivery realities are introduced, cost pressures, programme constraints and supply chain inputs, so that viability can be quickly tested. This is where early engagement becomes critical.

Both public and private sector perspectives pointed to the need for stronger collaboration at the earliest stages of a project. More effective use of pre-application discussions, clearer dialogue between planners and developers, and earlier involvement from those responsible for delivery can all help bridge the gap. The objective is not to bypass the planning process, but to make it more effective.

By aligning expectations earlier, projects are more likely to move forward with fewer delays, fewer redesigns and greater certainty around outcomes. There was also a recognition that planning does not operate in isolation. It sits within a wider system that includes infrastructure, utilities, transport and funding, all of which must be coordinated if development is to progress at pace.

This is particularly important when considering regional growth. While Greater Manchester continues to lead the way, there was a clear discussion around the need to ensure that growth is not concentrated solely within city centres. Unlocking development across surrounding towns and connecting infrastructure more effectively is essential if the region is to reach its full potential.

This requires a more joined-up approach, one that looks beyond individual schemes and considers how places function as a whole. At the same time, the balance between policy ambition and practical delivery remains a key
tension.

Planning frameworks are increasingly shaped by broader objectives, sustainability targets, housing demand, and infrastructure requirements, all of which are critical. But without a clear understanding of how those objectives translate into viable, deliverable schemes, there is a risk that ambition outpaces reality.

As the discussion highlighted, the focus must shift towards outcomes that can be achieved in real conditions. This is not about lowering ambition. It is about ensuring that ambition is grounded in practicality. Ultimately, the role of planning is not just to approve development, but to enable it. That means creating a system that supports collaboration, encourages early engagement, and aligns policy with delivery from the outset.

If growth is to be realised across the North West, planning must evolve from a point of constraint to a platform for delivery.

To discuss the content or any themes highlighted in the recent question time, contact Andy Bayley, Martin Brownsill or Paul Newman

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From Policy to Practicality: Rethinking Planning to Deliver Growth

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