The RTPI has warned that ‘Street Votes’ must avoid friction with neighbours and planning processes to boost England’s housing supply
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has urged Government to further consider Street Vote guidance and policy to ensure they are accessible to the public and to help planners provide sufficient protection for residents, design, and heritage standards.
Street Votes have been proposed by the Government as an ‘innovative new tool’ to involve local residents in development plans, enabling them to suggest development on their street and vote on the plans.
Concern has been raised about public understanding of planning rules
The Street Votes concept relies on residents being able to participate effectively and understanding complex design and technical requirements.
The RTPI puts forward that the government must conduct pilot schemes to test Street Votes in real-world conditions and address any potential issues before they are implemented nationwide.
Failing to address these requirements and safeguards before a wider roll-out could have a lasting negative impact on communities and undermine the credibility of Street Votes.
In its consultation response, the RTPI suggests the Government should:
- Issue guidance to ensure the Street Vote Development Order process is as simple and accessible for the general public and built environment professionals to engage with.
- Uphold design and heritage standards (including Conservation Areas) to prevent Street Votes groups from negatively impacting their neighbours or damaging a street’s unique heritage value.
- Manage the impact of development permitted through the scheme on transport and other infrastructure and maintain the benefits that local and national planning policy gives communities including protections from flood risk, walking and cycling routes and heat networks.
- Improve safeguards to protect residents from inappropriate influence and introduce effective time limits for permissions on development as applies to other forms of polls and public participation in planning.
New approaches to planning may be needed to revitalise the system
The RTPI is looking at what further guidance it can provide for members of the public and planners on this new development route in England’s planning system.
Victoria Hills, chief executive of the RTPI, said: “The concept of Street Votes to increase the housing supply in England shows potential, but it must be implemented with care and caution to avoid conflicts with neighbours and existing planning processes.
“The government should provide guidance that maintains the area’s architectural and historical significance, manage the development’s impact on the surroundings, and protect residents from any undue influence.”
