Memorandum by Yorkshire Forward (UWP 08)
THE PROPOSED URBAN WHITE PAPER
This submission is made by Yorkshire Forward,
the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Whilst reference is made to the range of issues
identified in the briefing note, the submission focuses on the
recommendations of the Urban Task Force Report and the role and
priorities for the Regional Development Agencies.
1. INTEGRATION
OF NATIONAL
POLICIES
1.1 In addition to addressing issues connected
with the supply and demand of housing, the Urban White Paper should
provide an integrated response to the complex social, economic
and environmental factors relevant to urban regeneration.
1.2 The Government's commitment to "joined
up thinking" is clear and the Urban White Paper is an opportunity
to provide clear and specific guidelines as to how current national
policies relating to the urban agenda can be integrated.
1.3 In particular, it is recommended that
specific reference is made to how the White Paper links with the
following national policies, initiatives and legislation.
1.3.1 Those relating to the social fabric
of cities, such as the Social Exclusion Unit Policy Action Teams;
the Macpherson report; the Crime and Disorder Act.
1.3.2 Those relating to other regeneration
initiatives, such as New Deal for Communities; the Coalfield Task
Force Report; National Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy; Regional
Development Agencies Act; New Commitment to Regeneration; Health
Action Zones; Employment Action Zones.
1.3.3 Related policy and planning documents,
such as the Integrated Transport White Paper; Local Government
White Paper and the forthcoming Rural White Paper.
1.3.4 Wider funding issues such as the new
rounds of EU Structural Funds and DETR's review of regeneration
funding relating to EU State Aid Rules.
2. THE REGIONAL
AGENDA
2.1 The following quotes from the Regional
Economic Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber demonstrate this
regions' commitment to urban regeneration as part of an holistic
strategy to create a world class economy.
2.1.1 It is essential that regeneration
tackles the problem of "two speed" economies and is
targeted through the development of area-wide regeneration plans,
which specify the actions and resources needed to overcome deprivation
and market failure and ensure that the benefits of investment
flow throughout the region. These will both inform and be informed
by local Community Plans through which regeneration activity will
be conceived, planned and delivered by local people, consistent
with the Government's local democratic renewal agenda. We also
need to build strong cities and towns to act as economic drivers
for the region.
2.1.2 We need to develop integrated strategies
to realise the full potential of the regions major cities. Yorkshire
Forward will work closely with the individual city partnerships
to identify how our own resources and influence can enhance this
process and facilitate the development of a network of cities
whose strengths complement each other.
2.2 A range of themes underpin the regions'
objectives in delivering economic regeneration. One of these is
"geographic adaptation". It is essential that the Urban
White Paper provides a framework of clear directions and policies
that are never the less flexible to allow for regional, sub-regional
and local adaptation, given the diversity of our urban areas.
This would even extend to the definition of "urban"
in any area.
2.3 On a regional level it will be the task
of regional bodies such as RDA's and others to ensure the delivery
of urban renaissance, as recommended in the Urban White Paper,
is inextricably linked with all related regional policy documents.
These include, for example, in Yorkshire and the Humber, Regional
and Sub-Regional Action Plans; Regional Planning Guidance, Regional
Transport Strategy; Regional Sustainability Plan; Regional Housing
Framework; Regional Innovation Strategy; and the new Objective
1 and 2 Single Programme documents.
2.4 Further statements regarding the position
of Yorkshire Forward on Urban Policy are outlined below. You will
note that Yorkshire Forward will welcome opportunities to pilot
on a regional basis any appropriate initiatives emerging from
the Urban White Paper.
3. URBAN TASK
FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Of the 116 recommendations of the final
report of the Urban Task Force, the vast majority would require
a response from Government in the form of direction or legislation
to enable their implementation. However, a fair number of them
have either already started or are based on existing initiatives,
making the task less daunting. Other measures could be grouped
together and some decision making could be devolved to the regional
level. According to the report, the majority of the recommendations
require early implementation.
3.2 Comments on the recommendations, with
specific reference to the role of RDA's are outlined below under
the theme headings of the report.
Designing the Urban Environment
3.3 Yorkshire Forward welcome the recommendation
of integrated spatial masterplans as a tool to all area regeneration—not
just urban. We would add that the processes of community participation
along with the mechanisms of delivery should be essential components
of the masterplan. The boundaries of such masterplans should seek
to rationalise existing area initiatives rather than complicating
them; and should relate to local Community Action Plans where
relevant. RDA's would be well placed to appraise such plans, perhaps
forming regional design panels.
3.4 We also welcome the proposals for a
national urban design framework; for improvements to planning
and funding guidance regarding density standards; and the establishment
of Local Architecture Centres.
3.5 We believe we have a key role in the
development of the Millennium Communities initiatives through
demonstratives projects, building on the experience of the Allerton
Bywater project. We welcome the design competition approach although
do not necessarily see this as being compulsory.
Making the Connections
3.6 The transportation and sustainability
recommendations, prioritising foot, bicycle and public transport
are welcomed. In order for RDA's to influence these issues, and
ensure they are properly connected with well thought through economic
regeneration, both the powers and resources of the Agencies need
to be strengthened.
3.7 These include the Task Forces' recommendation
that funding decisions by RDA's and others place strong conditions
on recipients; and that RDA resources be increased to enable funding
of appropriate transport measures and sustainable development.
Yorkshire Forward believes sustainability is not purely about
conservation and preservation but about wise use of resources
and structural planning for the future.
Managing the Urban Environment
3.8 The recommendations to increase the
powers and resources of local authorities to facilitate innovative
urban environmental management are welcomed. We would add that
RDA's and other funding providers and influencing bodies should
continue to promote sustainability and long term aftercare as
a condition of any scheme.
Delivering Urban Regeneration
3.9 All the measures under this section
are potentially applicable to RDA's and we broadly welcome the
recommendations. The designation of Urban Priority Areas has been
well thought through, aiming to avoid repetition of previous area
designations. We would add that any such designation should seek
to rationalise and streamline existing initiative boundaries.
3.10 Proposals to give more flexibility
to funding powers of RDA's and others, such as relaxing of clawback
conditions and enabling endowments to communities are welcomed.
3.11 The proposal for handover strategies
as a condition of funding is already contained in part in SRB
6 bidding guidance clearly identifying the need for forward plans
to all area strategies. Innovation in these strategies should
be encouraged.
3.12 Recommendations for flexible and innovative
delivery mechanisms such as Urban Regeneration Companies and Housing
Regeneration Companies are welcome and RDA's seek sufficient powers
and resources to encourage such vehicles, as locally appropriate,
at times acting as key partners in them.
Investing in Skills and Innovation
3.13 We welcome the proposals to improve
skills amongst regeneration professionals and would strengthen
the suggestion that local community members should benefit from
training, as part of our commitment to empowering of individuals,
groups and partnerships. Consideration of recommendations in this
section should also bear in mind proposals for a new "Society
of Urban Practitioners".
3.14 Yorkshire Forward, with its strong
links with the regions universities (promoting a range of regeneration
training) and other key players, would be ideally placed to pilot
a Regional Resource Centre for Urban Development. This would also
complement one of our regional objectives to improve education,
learning and skills.
Planning for Change
3.15 Yorkshire Forward welcome proposals
to streamline and strengthen planning mechanisms to facilitate
urban renaissance.
3.16 Clear links need to be established
between strategic national or regional policies and local priorities.
At Yorkshire Forward we will ensure clear links and synergy exist
between the Regional Economic Strategy, Regional Planning Guidance,
Sub-Regional and Local Action Plans.
3.17 The integration of local transport,
economic, environmental and housing strategies into development
plans is recommended, to ensure an holistic approach to planning.
3.18 RDA's are well placed to assist in
the review of the designation of employment sites.
Managing the Land Supply
3.19 Recommendations to place a statutory
duty to release redundant land and buildings for regeneration
are welcomed. It is noted that RDA's are recommended to possibly
receive such land from MOD and NHS. The success in transforming
the stock of British Coal land by English Partnerships and the
RDA's provides a model for such a transfer. It should be noted,
however, that such land is often not just in urban areas and the
designation of all brownfield land for development is too simplistic
a model.
3.20 Proposals to "revolve" funds
for land assembly are relevant to RDA's and expertise exist within
the Agencies, as long as there is sufficient flexibility in their
powers.
Cleaning up the Land
3.21 Recommended measures to simplify and
consolidate the regulatory framework surrounding the reclamation
of contaminated land would benefit the task of remediation by
RDA's.
3.22 The establishment of a national framework
for identifying, managing and communicating risks should aid the
marketing and delivery of contaminated or remediated sites in
urban areas.
Recycling the buildings
3.23 Recommended measures to increase the
potential for derelict buildings in urban areas to be brought
back into beneficial use are welcomed. These include tax incentives
and new measures to encourage restoration of historic buildings.
However, it is important that these measures, if adopted in the
Urban White Paper, are not viewed in isolation. The regeneration
of individual buildings should always be encouraged within the
context of integrated area strategies and spatial masterplans
as outlined above.
3.24 Proposals for a 10 year Renaissance
Fund are welcomed and Yorkshire Forward or other RDA's would be
well placed to pilot such an initiative. However sufficient powers
should be given to the regions to adopt a flexible fund that fits
in with new RDA structures, funding mechanisms and Action Plans.
Attracting Private Investment
3.25 As an RDA we are concerned not only
with the funds available directly to the agency but the whole
regional economy within which we sit. Any measures to encourage
private investment in the regeneration of our towns and cities,
as a boost to the wider economy, are clearly welcomed. These include
the establishment of Regional Investment Companies by RDA's and
fiscal incentives to the private sector.
The Role of Public Investment
3.26 Creating a "single pot" of
funding within RDA's out of former SRB and EP funds is already
on the agenda for Yorkshire Forward. Giving sufficient flexibility
and resources to enable 10 year programmes to be devised would
certainly enhance the effectiveness of the programmes.
3.27 Establishing "one-stop-shop"
project appraisal services within RDA's may be appropriate although
it may be difficult for RDA's to appraise external funds such
as EU and Lottery funds without further integration of delivery.
4. SUMMARY
4.1 Yorkshire Forward eagerly awaits the
publication of the Urban White Paper. We are ideally placed to
assist the delivery of urban renaissance in partnership with national
Government and alongside our regional and local partners.
4.2 We agree with the Urban Task Force that
"urban renaissance should be founded on principles of design
excellence, economic strength, environmental responsibilities,
good governance and social well-being." We strongly recommend
a holistic White Paper,—not simply focusing on the housing
agenda—providing a strong vision, clear direction and flexibility
for regional adaptation.
January 2000
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