Memorandum by the CPRE—North Wiltshire
and Swindon Group (UWP 99)
PROVISIONS TO BE CONTAINED IN THE PROPOSED
URBAN WHITE PAPER
We can report that pressures for greenfield development
show no signs of abating at present.
1. The Urban Task Force recommendations
for fiscal reform seem to be those in most urgent need of implementation.
Many developers have options to develop greenfield land, but when
these options run out they may well prefer to put their energies
into brownfield redevelopment provided that it is financially
viable, and has become more attractive because of the planning
restraint on greenfield development.
2. It is important to recognise that it
is cheaper to take jobs to people, rather than vice versa. Areas
where there is full employment should be allowed to grow organically,
without having expansion forced upon them in the name of competitiveness.
Such growth would only fuel social exclusion and a downward spiral
in the economy overall. The aim should be to revive the depressed
areas and achieve urban renaissance. It is understood that SWRDA
is looking at the SW Region along these lines.
3. Development, helped by infrastructure
projects, can start to bring jobs and help to reverse low demand
for housing and social decline.
4. There would appear to be no hope whatever
for urban renaissance while housing and employment development
is allowed to rush ahead on greenfield sites, in particular on
large greenfield sites. The five year land supply should be abolished.
5. Encouragement for LPAs to bring forward
land that is in their ownership would be provided if that land
became more valuable. This could be achieved by making greenfield
land on the periphery of towns less valuable (a) because it cannot
be used before all brownfield has been re-used, not only locally
but nationally, and (b) because there are fiscal advantages when
using brownfields. It goes without saying that there should be
no fiscal disadvantages, such as unequal VAT rates. It is understood
that some creative urban designs are already being commissioned.
It is important that development should fit into an overall design,
rather than be piecemeal.
6. Policies relevant to towns and cities
would be primarily concerned with the built development and imaginative
design which is attractive and high density without cramming.
It would need to comprise mixed residential, employment, shopping,
leisure, education, health, worship, community and cultural development.
Forms of transport would also need to be addressed. The community
should be involved in forward planning as well as in development
control.
7. The role of historic parks and buildings
is most important. Both should be well protected.
8. The enhancement of the quality of life
in urban areas can be detailed in policies to achieve the removal/minimising
of pollution, ease of walking/cycling/public transport, adding
to green areas, providing mixed development, educational and cultural
buildings and so on.
Mrs Charmain Spickernell
January 2000
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