New guidance on how to embed social value into the planning process

The Social Value Portal has launched new guidance on how to embed social value into the planning process

An estimated £30bn of social value remains unutilised due to planning authorities and developers failing to grasp the opportunity of providing not just the best price, but also the best social value during the planning process.

The Social Value Act 2012, which has more recently been reinforced by Procurement Policy Note PPN06/20 and the Construction Playbook, calls for all public sector commissioning to factor in economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

Entitled ‘Embedding Social Value into Planning’, the document is the result of a collaboration across the planning, development, and design communities, known as the Social Value Planning Taskforce. It was set up in November 2020 as a working group of the National Social Value Taskforce to find  a way to embed social value into the planning process, delivering better places to live and work and to build trust in local planning and development.

Released by Social Value Portal, the briefing paper outlines how developers and local authorities can effectively incorporate social value initiatives as part of a planning application.

Guy Battle, CEO of the Social Value Portal, said: “Whilst social value within procurement is widely recognised and enforced, it is not so clearly accounted for in a planning application.

“The end result is that communities are deprived of additional social benefits that would otherwise be available – if developers were asked to consider the wider contribution a development can bring to society.”

How to build social value into planning policy and the Local Plan

The briefing paper provides guidance for councils and planners on how to build social value into planning policy and the Local Plan.

There is also guidance for developers on how to use the National Planning Policy Framework to submit a Social Value Statement and to ensure it is taken into account as part of the planning submission.

Social value opportunities highlighted in the report range from investment in community groups and volunteer schemes to local job creation and waste recycling.

Also included are a variety of case study examples of best practice, from the cabinet approved Social Value Policy developed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to a community engagement programme in London’s Tower Hamlets.

Guy Battle continues: “The Taskforce is in agreement that the best way to embed social value into planning is by requiring developers to submit a Social Value Statement as part of the planning application.

“This briefing paper highlights the need for a more transparent demonstration of a developer’s understanding of local needs – and a commitment to addressing these through measurable social value outcomes.

“Put simply, if these measures can be adopted throughout the planning process and social value is successfully integrated and measured, a new development will be considered a success and trust in the planning process will improve.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, it is essential for planners and developers to work closely together to build back better, greener and fairer.”

Download a copy of the briefing paper.