1. The Business and Enterprise
Challenges
Alister Scott MRTPI

2. Outline
• GBSLEP unpacked
• Story of the Spatial
Strategy for Recovery
and Growth
• Emerging Issues for
Planning and DecisionMakers

3. My role (s)
• RTPI Member and spatial
planning champion
• Academic researcher:
(Defra, Research Councils
UK)
• Member of LEP spatial
planning group
• Joint lead of Quality of
Life and Environment
theme (spatial plan)

4. Introducing The GBSLEP
Mission
• To create Jobs
• To grow the economy
And in so doing
• Raise quality of life for
all the LEP population

5. Delivering Growth Priorities

6. LEP Strategy Jigsaw
• Framework = Strategy
for Growth
• Delivery Portal = web
based for on-going
update
• Spatial Plan=
integration of key
spatial planning issues
in the LEP
• Evidence base

7. Why a Spatial Plan?
• Loss of regional planning layer created strategic
planning vacuum
• Need to embed other planning priorities into the
LEP agenda to complement ‘Delivering Growth’
• Voluntary partnership of private, public and
environmental planners ‘to boldly go’
• Leadership and vision (Dave Carter/Craig Jordan)

8. Evolution
• Launch of planning charter (February 2012)
• Visioning events cross LEP (September 2012) *
including Rufopoly- (led to themed groups )
• Scenario Building and Testing (Nov-Dec 2012)
• Conference (April 2013)
• Spatial Strategy Draft LEP Board (June 2013)
• Public Consultation (Oct-Dec 2013)
• Document Revision
• Launch (Spring 2014)

9. Conceptual Framework
• Economy (Jobs ; GVA)
• Community
(Education; well being;
healthy living)
• Environment
(Biodiversity, CO2,
Enrich environment
• 2 cross cutting themes
Sustainability
Connectivity

10. Strategic Objectives & Policies
• Homes and
Communities
• Shaping the Economy
• Sustainable Living and
the Environment
• Connectivity
Focus of workshop this
afternoon

12. Mapping of Local Plan Allocations
(Economy)

13. Mapping of Local Plan Allocations
(Housing Sites)

14. Distinguishing Features
• Long term flexible plan continually refreshed
in light of feedback
• Non-statutory plan; involvement based on
perceived value and need
• Using existing/proposed local plans as base to
look at strategic gaps and opportunities
• Commission research to fill gaps (e.g. housing
need, employment land) with other LEPS

15. Key Issues for the Long Term
• Spatial plan process as expression of Duty to
Cooperate (tensions vs opportunities)
• Significant housing shortfall based on CLG
projections (30% shortfall: 110k/153k)
• Housing markets and other Objectives/Policy
areas transgress LEP boundaries
• Understated role of agriculture and the fringe
• Perceived neglect of community and
environment stakeholders (NIA and LNP)
• Additionality provided for by a LEP-led focus

16. Take Home Messages
• Planners are the facilitators of enterprise
• Whole can be greater than sum of parts
• Process of plan formation matters as much as
the plan outcome
• Spatial plan is boldly going…….. into regional
planning void
• BUT Beware of LEP or any sectoral fetish

17. Finally
• Please provide feedback via the web
consultation and survey questionnaire.
• http://centreofenterprise.com/sprgcon/
Contact
alister.scott@bcu.ac.uk
@bcualisterscott