Planning for Growth in Historic Towns and Cities

These are challenging times for planning. The Coalition Government is bringing in wide ranging changes that are underpinned by new values and aims. Key strands in the changes are a commitment to localism, simplification of the planning system and the importance of planning to promoting economic prosperity. These changes are exemplified by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and its presumption in favour of sustainable development.

While this new agenda affects all aspects of planning, a particular challenge is how to reconcile a pro development national policy framework with the conservation of those qualities of our historic towns and cities that make them successful places in which to live, work and play. The Historic Towns Forum, with sponsorship from Terence O’Rourke Ltd, ran a conference to examine in detail the implications of the challenges posed by the emerging new planning regime. A key aim for the day was to improve understanding of the relationships between the NPPF and the needs of historic places. The morning session looked at the background and principles; the afternoon was devoted to case studies from cathedral cities.

This report summarises the seven papers presented and sets out some conclusions.