As the government announces its plans for the next generation of news towns, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) emphasises the critical role of a well-resourced planning system in delivering this vision. Research from the RTPI shows that public spending on planning dropped 16% from 2009 to 2022. Reforming planning without investing in its capacity risks missing out on over £70 billion in potential value. Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “Historically, new towns have proven that a well-resourced planning system can drive housing delivery, and offer us a model for solving the housing crisis today while delivering on the Government’s growth agenda. “But with the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the horizon, we’re urging essential reforms to ensure the planning system can meet the government’s housing targets and support economic growth. To do this, planning departments need long-term effective solutions to resourcing issues and an enhanced corporate presence in local authorities through a statutory role for Chief Planning Officers, ensuring they have a seat at the top table. “The next generation of new towns needs to be flexible, and able to adapt and evolve as communities grow. The RTPI is commissioning extensive international case study-based research on how new towns can be designed with this in mind.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Potential opportunity for gym operator at the Energy Park, Bridge of Don AM Sci Tech has announced the submission of a planning application to Aberdeen City Council, seeking a change of use for the Innovation Centre, within Aberdeen Energy Park in Bridge of Don, proposing a shift from Class 4 (Business Use) to Class 11 (Leisure Use). This exciting proposal positions the building as an ideal home for a gym operator, meeting the growing demand for fitness and well-being facilities in the area. Located at the heart of a thriving and rapidly developing community, the Innovation Centre on Exploration Drive is a standalone building, set over two floors and measuring approximately 14,000 sq ft (1,300 sq m). It is perfectly placed to serve a diverse and growing population, offering a bright welcoming foyer, with the calming environment of a beautiful atrium, with natural light from the large glass roof. Around the atrium, it offers a generous floorplan, high ceilings and ample parking facilities, making it well-suited to be converted into a modern gym or fitness studio. Its convenient location ensures easy access for the growing number of residents, as well as professionals working within the business park. The site’s excellent transport links to Aberdeen city centre and proximity to key arterial roads (including the AWPR) add to its appeal, ensuring it is well-connected and accessible. Over recent years, since the demolition of the former Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, the surrounding area has seen a surge in new residential developments, with hundreds of new homes currently being built and many more in the planning pipeline from leading developers like Cala and Persimmon Homes. This future influx of residents has created a significant need for local amenities, particularly fitness and leisure facilities, making this proposed change of use both timely and strategic. Overall, almost 900 homes are currently being built or are in the planning system. Gordon Pirie, Asset Manager at Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks said: “We are very excited to submit this Change of Use Planning Application, which we believe reflects the evolving needs of the parks and the local community. With the area undergoing significant residential growth, there is an increasing demand for high-quality leisure facilities and we believe a gym operator would thrive in this prime location. This development will not only benefit residents but also add value to the wider business park.’” Aberdeen Energy & Innovations Parks have already established itself as a key hub for commerce, with a mix of modern multi-let office and industrial units that support a diverse range of businesses. The introduction of a leisure facility such as a gym would further enhance the appeal of the park, offering an additional amenity to workers and creating a vibrant destination that promotes health and well-being. This Change of Use Planning Application comes at an exciting time for the area. Alongside the ongoing and planned residential developments, significant investment in local infrastructure is paving the way for a more connected and prosperous community. The inclusion of a gym or fitness centre would complement this growth, delivering a vital service that aligns with the needs of the local population and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles. Subject to planning approval, AM Sci Tech is keen to progress this transformation and is actively seeking expressions of interest from gym operators and leisure providers. For more information or to discuss potential opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Gordon Pirie on 07525 240 453. Knight Frank and Ryden are joint agents for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A leading expert in planning policy at Northumbria University has delivered evidence to help shape the future reform of the National Planning Policy Framework. Alister Scott, Professor of Environmental Geography and Planning, gave evidence and recommendations to the Environment Audit Committee’s hearing in Westminster on the government’s proposed planning reforms and their effect on the natural environment. With the UK desperately needing more homes, the Environmental Audit Committee examined how proposed reforms to the planning system through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will promote housing growth and the effects such growth may have on the natural environment. Professor Scott, who is also a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, outlined some key concerns to the future success of the new policy based on his extensive research into planning and green infrastructure. He said there was a need to remove silo thinking and disintegrated policy across different government departments to bring together disparate policy areas to work strategically on spatial planning. In particular, he highlighted that the Departments of Health, Culture, Media and Sport, Transport, Science and Innovation and HM Treasury need to be more actively engaged, and that land use planning was not solely an issue for Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. “The current priority in planning is stated as economic development and most of the consultation is taken up with issues of housing and economic development,” says Professor Scott. “While I agree this is a priority, having separate governance regimes for urban and rural space puts the emphasis on first establishing the number of houses or jobs before bolting on other considerations afterwards. The economic imperative alone does not make the most effective use of land.” Professor Scott also said there was a need for much stronger wording within policy for nature to avoid it being trumped by economic factors, with trade-offs between economic, social and environmental priorities needing to be fully assessed. He said it was notable that the NPPF had had major amendments in sections relating to housing and green belt, but the natural environment chapter had remained the same despite major policy changes and ongoing declines in nature. Another of his key concerns was the need to rethink how we value nature. Drawing on the HM Treasury 2021 Dasgupta review, he highlighted how the multiple values of nature demand transformative thinking in how prosperity is viewed and measured. Professor Scott also called on the government to review its default answer of ‘yes’ on questions around the development of brownfield sites and said that the policy could not be successfully developed without the active involvement of many government departments, given their major influences and impacts on land use. “In the question of a default ‘yes’ for brownfield development, for example, the default answer should instead always be evidence based. Brownfield sites can have significant biodiversity interest and can also be very costly to develop,” he said. “Before assuming these are preferred development sites, I believe there should be an accurate assessment of their multifunctional potential, and a decision made from there based on the evidence obtained.” In terms of actions to help address these problems Professor Scott recommended that the planning system is rebalanced to ensure that nature, the economy and community are treated equally. “Primacy is given to economic growth with nature, community and equity issues lagging. The planning system has a key role in alleviating poverty and social exclusion as well as providing decent housing. I have called strongly for the policy to explicitly incorporate the UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure that environmental and equity considerations are not simply bolted on but are incorporated from the start. “If we fundamentally reshape how planning is done it would lead to better spaces where economic, environmental and social limits and opportunities work together. I believe it is important to focus on placemaking and placekeeping, rather than setting targets for having a certain number of houses or trees. These quantity metrics can distort planning practices and lead to outcomes we might not have chosen had we planned more strategically,” he said. Professor Scott, who is based in Northumbria’s Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, has played a key role in national conversations on land use in recent years. He was appointed as the sole special adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee inquiry on how we respond to increasing demands on land in England and he was awarded a Fellowship by the Academy of Social Sciences in recognition of his work to find new ways to improve policy and decision-making across built and natural environments. The Environment Audit Committee hearing is available to view online on the Parliament Live TV channel. Transcripts of the oral evidence and further written evidence provided by Professor Scott are available to download. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Luton Town Football Club has received the green light from Luton Borough Council to proceed with its plans for a new 25,000-capacity stadium at Power Court. The decision, made by the Council’s planning committee, marks a significant milestone in the club’s efforts to deliver a state-of-the-art venue and drive long-term regeneration in Luton town centre. The planning application, submitted by the club’s development arm, 2020 Developments, in September, includes detailed proposals for the stadium alongside an outline plan for an adjacent hotel and music venue. The Power Court project forms part of a larger redevelopment of the 20-acre site, which also encompasses 1,200 residential apartments, commercial spaces, and high-quality public areas. The Power Court stadium in Luton is expected to become a central feature of the town’s revitalisation, bringing new opportunities for local business and community engagement. The design integrates modern facilities with a focus on enhancing the matchday experience for fans while serving as a multi-purpose venue for non-football events. The approval represents a major step forward for Luton Town FC, both on and off the pitch, and aligns with broader efforts to transform Luton into a vibrant hub for living, leisure, and commerce. The stadium is set to strengthen the club’s position in English football while creating a lasting legacy for the town. Further details on construction timelines and next steps for the Power Court development are expected to follow in due course. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals