BENVGPLE: Planning for Housing – Process
Aims & Outcomes
This module examines the context for and processes of residential development in the UK. It begins by examining the drivers of residential development including the demographics of growth. It looks at who provides housing and at the evolution of the UK policy context and its current objectives. The module also explores residential development processes from strategic and development planning, land acquisition to planning for the infrastructure associated with housing growth. The module is divided into three main parts: Part 1: Perspectives on Housing Policy and Planning; Part 2: Providers, Processes and Delivery; Part 3: Critical Debates and Outcomes. A summary outline is provided below.
The module aims to provide an understanding of the processes of planning for housing at both a strategic and developmental level. It deals with drivers, with context and with outcomes.
Teaching & Learning methods
The module comprises ten two-hour classes. Each class comprises a pair of 45 minute lecture, with a break in between – for questions or refreshments.
Outline (breakdown of sessions)
Week 1: General introduction: scope of specialism; drivers and shapers of housing development
Part 1: Perspectives on Housing Policy and Planning
Week 2: Historical debates and perspectives; housing debate in recent years and months
Week 3: Regional planning and growth projections / development planning and politics
Part 2: Providers, Processes and Delivery
Week 4: Housing providers and perspectives on the development process
Week 5: Allocating land for housing and site appraisal
Week 6: General development finance and affordable housing
Week 7: Housing construction and design: sustainability, space and utility
Week 8: Growth, housing and infrastructure
Part 3: Critical Debates and Outcomes
Week 9: The evolving politics and realities of urban and rural housing development
Week 10: The trajectory of planning reform in England in 2013
Key readings
Course Texts:
Carmona, M, Carmona, S. and Gallent, N. (2003) Delivering New Homes: Processes, Planners and Providers, Routledge: London
Gallent, N. and Tewdwr-Jones, M. (2007) Decent Homes for All: Reviewing Planning’s Role in Housing Provision, Routledge: London
Golland, A. and Blake, R. (2004) (Eds) Housing Development: Theory, Process and Practice, Routledge: London
Recent Policy Documents:
Conservative Party (2010) Open Source Planning: The Conservative Planning Green Paper, Conservative Party: London
DCLG (2006a) Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing, DCLG: London
DCLG (2006b) New Growth Points – Partnership for Growth with Government, DCLG: London
DCLG (2007a) Homes for the Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable, DLCG: London
DCLG (2007b) Eco-towns Prospectus, DCLG: London
DCLG (2007c) Delivering Affordable Housing, DCLG: London
HM Government (2011) Laying the Foundations: A Housing Strategy for England, TSO: Lon don
HM Treasury (2004) Review of Housing Supply: Delivering Stability – Securing Our Future Housing Needs, HM Treasury: London
DCLG (2012) National Planning Policy Framework, DCLG: London
DCLG (2011) Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planningsystem/planningpolicy/presumptionfavour/
DCLG (2011) A Plain English Guide to the Localism Act, DCLG: London
ODPM (2003) Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future, ODPM: London
ODPM (2005) Planning for Housing Provision – Consultation Paper, ODPM: London
The DCLG website has many other recent and older policy documents. Of particular importance now is the National Planning Policy page:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/making-the-planning-system-work-more-efficiently-and-effectively
The TCPA webpage also has a number of useful commentaries on recent government announcements and policy documents.
General Reading
Adams, D. and Watkins, C. (2002) Greenfields, Brownfields and Housing Development, Blackwell Publishing: London
Evans, A.W. (1991) ‘Rabbit hutches on postage stamps’: planning, development and political economy, in Urban Studies, 28, 6, pp. 853-870
Gallent, N. (2005), Regional Housing Figures in England: Policy, Politics and Ownership, Housing Studies, 20, 6, pp.973-988
Gallent, N. and Robinson, S. (2012) Neighbourhood Planning, Policy Press: Bristol
Satsangi, M., Gallent, N., Bevan, M. (2010) The Rural Housing Question: Communities and Planning in Britain’s Countrysides, The Policy Press: Bristol
Shucksmith, M (1990) Housebuilding in Britain’s Countryside, Routledge: London
Wellings, F. (2006) British Housebuilders: History and Analysis, Blackwell Publishing: London
I will list other key reading in lectures, and will also print some off (depending on student numbers) or circulate electronically.
Journal Articles:
Articles on housing and planning are published in most major geography and planning journals. Using Google Scholar, you should be able to locate a good selection of articles on all the topics dealt with in this module. Because of the college’s electronic subscriptions, you will be able to download most of these articles in PDF. The Bartlett Library also holds many hard copies of journals including Town and Country Planning which provides many useful summaries of topics in this wider field.
Assessment and Feedback
- i) Description of assessment:
A single essay of 2,500 words (excluding references)
- ii) Criteria for assessment:
General assessment criteria include ‘[…] Knowledge of subject matter; marshalling arguments; evaluation of evidence; any special criteria outlined in brief. Up to 20 per cent of marks can be deducted for incorrect presentation of bibliography, poor grammar or style, poor spelling or punctuation and value-laden language’.
More particularly, I will be looking for substantial evidence of further reading. There is a rich literature on housing development and planning. Marks will be awarded for evidence of critical engagement with key debates
The really key thing with essay-based assessments is that you should answer the question. Answer it directly; do not re-interpret it or turn it into ‘the question that I’d rather answer’. Answer the question. I cannot stress this enough!
iii) Deadlines and mode of submission:
Submission of essay, week 1, term 2 – through Moodle. The essay will be set after Reading Week in Term 1.
- iv) Feedback:
Guidance and support available to students before the coursework is due (formative feedback):
Tutors are there to support students. I am very happy to discuss assignments with students one-to-one . For BENVGPLE, I will set a wide range of potential essay topics. I will spend at least half an hour in class going through each essay and will say something about structure and potential reading for the topic.
It is inevitable that you will have questions about the assignment, either before you begin or in the early stages of preparation. There will always be an opportunity to discuss the assignment with me at the end of the scheduled classes, via email, or by making an appointment to see me. I will normally be able to comment on structure, answer questions about a topic, suggest further reading or suggest the names of authors who’ve written on a topic. However, I don’t know everything about everything and cannot do your literature searching for you. But I am here to help in any way I can.
Summative feedback
The marking sheet with detailed feedback will be returned to you within 20 working days (i.e. 4 weeks). If you have questions about the final feedback, please drop by or make an appointment to see me.
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