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I attended the British Property Federation briefing event on the Localism Bill with some co-conspirators this evening. Turley Associates (planning consultants), Birmingham City Council and PPS (public affairs) provided the speakers. Wragge & co were in charge of the rather nice canapés.
As Andrew Round from BCC commented, it’s difficult to philosophically argue with the localism cause. The UK, even after devolution, is far too centrally run and regulated. It’s also true that much of the Coalition Government’s localism policy leaves a little to be desired when it comes to the detail, not least in terms of the planning process.
I was, however, disappointed by the mood and tone of the event. Very negative and cynical. One might even suggest that the property and legal types don’t like the idea of change – and the impact it will have on their lives and businesses.
Localism is good and it’s happening. Not brilliant and pretty in parts, but the direction of travel is right.
The subject of LEPs inevitably reared its head. Inevitably too, there was much chuntering on the vagueness and LEPs boundaries, powers and budgets. Fine, they are another imperfect policy.
