Planning Beyond Boundaries – Devolution, Strategic Planning and the Future of Local Government

The scale of change facing local government planning has never been greater.

That was one of the key themes to emerge at a recent Planning & Devolution seminar jointly hosted by Chelgate Local and Vail Williams, where representatives from local authorities and public sector organisations came together to discuss how the evolving devolution agenda is set to reshape strategic planning across England.

With the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, alongside the government’s wider planning reforms, planning authorities are entering a period of significant transition.

The event provided an opportunity to explore what those changes mean in practice, the challenges they present and how local authorities can begin preparing now. Planning Partner, Chris Wilmshurst, spoke at the event and here are just some of the themes that were discussed and the key outcomes.

A room full of shared challenges

One of the most valuable aspects of the session was the level of discussion between delegates, as Chris observes:

“Although every authority faces its own local priorities, many of the same questions emerged throughout the morning.”

How will Strategic Authorities operate in practice? What role will Spatial Development Strategies play alongside Local Plans? How can housing growth be coordinated with infrastructure investment? And how can authorities continue delivering for their communities while navigating structural change?

Chris continued: “The conversations reflected the fact that these reforms are not simply legislative changes. They represent a fundamental shift in how planning decisions will increasingly be made across wider geographic areas.”

Understanding the new planning landscape

Chris went on to outline at the seminar, the policy background that has led to the current reforms, and what local authorities should expect over the coming years.

He explained how recent government policy is shifting towards a more strategic approach to planning, from the introduction of cross-boundary planning commitments through to the creation of Strategic Authorities and the development of Spatial Development Strategies.

Rather than replacing Local Plans, Spatial Development Strategies are intended to provide a long-term strategic framework for growth across wider areas, helping to coordinate housing delivery, infrastructure investment, economic development and environmental priorities over a minimum 20-year period.

Strategic planning means strategic thinking

A recurring theme throughout the presentation was that successful strategic planning is about much more than identifying where new homes should be built.

Spatial Development Strategies are expected to bring together decisions around transport, utilities, flood management, social infrastructure, regeneration and climate resilience to support sustainable growth across entire regions. They are intended to focus on strategic priorities rather than individual site allocations, creating a framework that Local Plans can then deliver in greater detail.

This represents a significant cultural as well as procedural change for many authorities, requiring greater collaboration across council boundaries and closer integration between planning, infrastructure and economic development teams.

Preparing for what comes next

While many aspects of the new system will continue to evolve, it was clear to everyone at the event that preparation cannot wait.

Authorities that begin considering how strategic planning, governance and infrastructure delivery will interact under the new framework are likely to be better placed as further guidance and legislation emerge.

For those organisations involved in planning, development and public sector property, understanding these reforms early will be critical to making informed decisions and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

Continuing the conversation

The strong attendance and high level of engagement at this event demonstrated just how important these issues have become for local authorities and the wider public sector.

At Vail Williams, we work with over 50 local authorities, combined authorities and public sector organisations across the UK, providing planning, development, property and strategic estate advice to help organisations respond to changing policy, unlock development opportunities and deliver sustainable growth.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.

Given the interest in this topic, we will be hosting further events exploring the practical implications of planning reform, strategic planning and devolution for the public sector.