The Royal Town Planning Institute has warned that replacing regional planning with a more local approach to planning could threaten the UK’s economic recovery.

Today, plans for a Decentralisation and Localism Bill were unveiled as part of the Queen’s Speech. The RPTI has responded by saying strategic planning between local and national levels was “vital.”

RTPI president Ann skippers said: “Moves towards giving local communities more power are welcome, but we feel there is a real danger in hastily abolishing regional planning.

“It is important that the Government realises that strategic planning did not begin in 1997, but has been a vital part of our system for over half a century, with areas like the West Midlands benefiting since the 1950’s.

“It is vital to have a level of strategic planning between local councils and national government to ensure proper co-ordination across council boundaries.

“We will be urging the Government to ensure that planning at the larger-than-local level is embedded in the system.”

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