TCPA: Raise status of planning officers

The Town and County Planning Association (TCPA) has called on the government to increase the status of planning officers in order to improve the supply of property entering the UK market.

The housing charity argues the creation of a senior local government Chief Planning Officer (CPO) role would significantly improve planning at a local level.

The comments follow the publication of the Planning Matters - labour shortages and skills gaps report earlier today by the Department for Communities and Local Government committee (CLG).

One of the key findings of the report is that a skills shortage in local planning could jeopardise government plans to build three million new homes by 2020.

In its written submission to the committee the TCPA said: "The TCPA believes that statutory recognition should be given to a senior officer with responsibility within a local authority for the planning function.

"The TCPA believes that this enhanced status would be a positive contribution to increasing skills capacity."

This change was first recommended in the TCPA's 2005 report Putting Planning First.

"A small number of key chief officers of local authorities (such as for education and social services) enjoy statutory recognition," continued the TCPA statement.

"The rationale for such statutory establishments of senior positions accountable in planning policy and service delivery areas should be extended to planning departments.

"It will also raise the profile of planning and strengthen its legitimacy as an accountable decision-making function within local government."

Chris O'Toole