Lecture 10 - The Evolution of Rural Planning: a Focus on Land Use

The Evolution of Rural Planning: a Focus on Land Use

• Introduction: Increasing countryside pressures

• Town & Country Planning Acts: 1947 & 1968

• Towards Neighbourhood Plans

• Landscape Designations

• Conclusion: A modernist land-use perspective

1. Introduction: Increasing Countryside Pressures

• Planning: Key state response to rural change

• Overview:

  • Guidance plus modification/refusal powers

  • Refusal not compensated

  • Politically accepted planning framework

  • Land-use planning (including landscape designations)

  • Settlement planning

  • Development planning

2. Historical Context & Pressures

• Importance of History:

  • Population increase leading to pressures

    • Urban (E&W) growth from 10 million (50%) in 1850 to 35 million (82%) in 1939

    • By 1939, 50% population lived in suburbs

  • Rise in ribbon development, industrial growth, and recreational use (including plotlands)

3. Response: Preservationism

• Key Figures:

  • Prof. Patrick Abercrombie: Advocated for an ordered setting in planning

  • Clough Williams-Ellis (1928):

    • Critique of planless development: "human beings should demand...reasonable, humanistic setting for our lives"

  • Thomas Sharp (1932):

    • Advocated for distinct separation between town and country

4. Town & Country Planning Acts

• Major Reports:

  • Barlow Report (1940): Addressed population/employment imbalance and urban containment

  • Uthwatt Report (1942): Advocated for control over undeveloped land outside urban areas

  • Scott Report (1942): Highlighted urban estimates and farmers as guardians of the land

4.1 Town & Country Planning Act 1947

• Objectives:

  • Contain urban sprawl

  • Protect countryside and resources

  • Enhance access to urban facilities

  • Improve urban and rural life

  • Promote stability and continuity

• Mechanisms:

  • Development plans (20-year outlook): permissive, not proactive

  • Extension of planning rules

4.2 Town & Country Planning Act 1968

• Establishment of a hierarchy of plans to streamline and democratize planning processes

• Originally under the Department of the Environment, now oversees by the Ministry of Housing

• Types of plans:

  • Structure Plans

  • Unitary Development Plans (Counties)

  • Local Plans (Districts)

5. Towards Neighbourhood Plans

• Conservative Government (1979-1997): Kept structure plans, emphasized balance of natural and built environment in planning

• New Labour (1997-2010): Shifted to Unitary Authorities and abolished the 1968 framework

  • Introduced Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks

• Con-Dem Government (2010-2015): Devolved power to local authorities through Planning reforms

6. Landscape Designations

• Introduction to Landscape Designations:

  • Land with special protection for various forms of conservation

  • Example: The New Forest (est. 1079)

• Key Organizations:

  • NatureScot, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales

6.1 National Parks

• Comparative Models:

  • USA (Yellowstone) vs. Britain (Less idealistic)

• Legislation:

  • National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949

• Purposes:

  • Preserve/enhance natural beauty

  • Promote public enjoyment

6.2 Key Issues & Governance

• Five Enduring Problems with National Parks:

  • Under-funding: Historical reliance on government funds, leading to budget cuts and impacts on management

  • Popularity: Increase in visitors leading to environmental impacts and congestion

  • Land Use Controversies: Conflicts over quarrying, agriculture, and development within park boundaries

  • Goals & Governance: Balancing agriculture, conservation, and recreation interests

  • Geographical Bias: Initial bias towards upland areas in park designations

7. Other Designations

• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs): Designated areas focused on preserving natural beauty

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves: Focus on ecological preservation

• Emerging Issues: Discussions around new parks and designations reflecting contemporary ecological concerns

Conclusion: A Modernist Perspective

• Key Question: What is the role and purpose of landscape designations today?

• Discussion Points:

  • Are designations signs of success or failure in urban planning systems?

  • Need for modernized approaches in land-use planning in the 21st century.