Planning for the future and supporting economic growth

Transcription

1 This presentation Planning for the future and supporting economic growth Simon Emery Team Leader Growth & Economic Development Introduce Highways England Set out our role and approach to planning Explain how we re working to support economic growth, including future schemes. 13 th June 2016 Highways England Formerly the Highways Agency Responsible for England s Strategic Road Network Modernise, Maintain and Operate Infrastructure Act 2015; Licence Chair Colin Matthews Chief Executive Jim O Sullivan The SRN as an economic asset 4,300 miles of motorways and major A roads. Carries 1/3rd of all traffic and 2/3rds of freight 96% of the population live within 1 hours drive of a SRN junction Key piece of national infrastructure 4 million users every day 1bn tonnes of freight a year Planning responses 14/ 15 Our approach to planning Consulted on ~4000 planning applications each year 99.88% responded within 21 days 15% large applications (requiring of a TA) up to 10% applications for schemes with impact of >100 jobs or houses 1

2 Planning responses 14/ 15 How we approach planning 11% 11% 0.3% Approval, no conditions Approval, with conditions Regional approach to responses through Regional Operations Directorates (e.g. Yorkshire North East, North West etc) 77.7% Non-determination (holding direction) Indefinite nondetermination (refusal) Corporate approach and liaison with DfT / DCLG / national bodies through Strategy & Planning directorate. Planning headlines Primary Act - Town & Country Planning Act 1990; Circular (02/2013) central DfT policy - likely to be revised 2016 led by DfT. Statutory consultee; Statutory response times & process; Technical diligence; Planning headlines As Highways Agency acted as the Secretary of State for Transport we directed. As Highways England no longer have that power of direction i.e. we advise Local Planning Authorities. Need to be in a position to justify our advice much more. Record and monitor our performance; Proactive approach. Planning our responses i. Offer no objection; ii. Recommend conditions should be attached to any planning permission; iii. Recommend a non-determination; iv. Recommend refusal. Planning what does this mean? If LPA disagrees with our recommendation: LPA can make a challenge to the Secretary of State; DfT team assess LPA and our representation; DfT team have a further 21 days to issue direction to the LPA. 2

3 PERCEPTIONS OF HIGHWAYS AGENCY: Knowledgeable Responsible Trustworthy Effective Helpful SERVICE LEVEL ATTRIBUTES: STRENGTHS (more than 70% agree / strongly agree) 1. Provides impartial planning advice 2. Provides clear planning advice 3. Provides consistent planning advice AREAS THAT COULD BE IMPROVED (less than 50% agree / strongly agree) 1. Provides easy access to planning advice Planning for the future Launched in September 2015; Developed from Protocols as HA; SATISFACTION 66% TOP 2 AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Be more accessible / have a named contact / someone to contact / face to face contact Improve speed of response / they are too slow TOP 3 DRIVERS OF SATISFACTION 1. Is a helpful organisation 2. Provides clear planning advice 3. Provides practical planning advice ACTION PLANNING GRIDS: LEVERAGE 1. Provides clear planning advice 2. Provides practical planning advice 3. Is a trustworthy organisation FOCUS 1. Is a helpful organisation 2. Takes a positive approach to working in partnership with your authority 13 Can and will refresh as we want its our document... but its not DfT policy; Anticipate refresh when DfT refresh or change Circular (02/2013) later this year. Planning for the future Supporting economic growth Supporting the economy now Productivity gap with other countries widening. Worsening congestion, worsens our national productivity. Traffic levels forecast to grow by up to 60%. Economic role Keeping the network moving safely; Targeting investment in locations where there is an economic driver; Being a proactive planning partner; Supporting UK business. 3

4 Road Investment Strategy 1 11bn on SRN enhancements, including 112 major improvements, e.g: Smart Motorways A5036 Princess Way, Liverpool A19 Testos & Downhill Lane, Sunderland A63 Castle Street, Hull 4bn on renewals (maintenance) 6 strategic studies North Trans-Pennine Trans-Pennine tunnel Manchester NW Quadrant Growth & Housing Fund 100 million capital fund ( ) Unlocking development sites that require enhancements to the SRN Must be on or near the SRN Consideration factors: Scheme readiness Early jobs and homes Match funding Up to 5m per scheme Strategic Economic Growth Plan (SEGP) Present a detailed long-term narrative on how Highways England will work with partners to facilitate economic growth. SEGP will inform the supporting economic growth theme of Route Strategies and ultimately feed into the next round of RIS. Explore the type of partnership activities that can be developed with stakeholders potentially pooling efforts and investment to achieve economic growth outcomes around the SRN. SEGP objectives Maximise the economic contribution of the SRN and Highways England in facilitating economic growth. To explore the SRN s role in the economy; To capture & increase the economic impact of current and future SRN-related activity & investment; To strengthen the economic case for investment in the SRN and influence future SRN-related investment; To lay the foundations for further improvement in the future. SEGP approach 1. Developing a consultation schedule of meetings with all LEPs and wider stakeholders Building a shared evidence base 2. Dialogue with TfN, Midlands Connect and Heart of England Alliance 3. Strengthening the evidence base 4. Identify the economic growth opportunities and challenges around the SRN 5. Explore cross-cutting themes (e.g. significant trade routes) 6. Explore the potential to develop joint partnership plans with Stakeholders 7. Produce the SEGP by December

5 Route strategies Aims to bring together information from motorists, local communities, construction partners, environmental groups and across the business; better understand the condition and performance of our roads, and local and regional aspirations; shape our investment priorities to improve the service for road users and support a growing economy Ministers will use route strategies to identify where problems are most severe, and where the need for action is greatest Key messages We want to support economic growth and development whilst enabling the SRN to operate safely. Engage with us as early as possible Helps the specifics of the application; Supports our longer-term strategic planning We look forward to working together in a proactive way. Thank you for listening. Any questions? 5