The Future of Strategic Planning in England

This report, produced with Catriona Riddell Associates, sets out the case for reforming the planning system in England and to re-introduce strategic planning to address long‑standing challenges around cross‑boundary decision‑making, infrastructure delivery and fragmented governance.

It argues that the current system—especially following the proposed abolition of the Duty to Co-operate—lacks clarity, accountability and the ability to plan effectively at scale.

The report proposes a new governance model centred on an accountable strategic planning body supported by a Strategic Planning Advisory Body.

This model aims to align national policy, local plans, and infrastructure priorities more effectively, while enabling faster, more ambitious and sustainable growth. Evidence gathered from practice across England shows that despite significant local collaboration, progress is hindered by local complexity, misaligned investment decisions and a lack of long‑term spatial frameworks.

The County Councils Network’s (CCN) survey, carried out for the research, reinforces these findings, highlighting widespread concern about infrastructure pressure, insufficient strategic planning arrangements and the limitations of voluntary collaboration.

The survey of CCN members produced for the report finds that:

• 58% of CCN members are not confident the government’s reforms would create a simpler, faster planning system.
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• 93% do not believe the reforms would increase residents’ support for development.
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• 96% support new homes if accompanied by infrastructure and located appropriately.
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• 73% describe their infrastructure funding gaps as severe.
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• 100% of county councils support a statutory approach to strategic planning with county involvement.

Recommendations for government include:

• Introduce new strategic planning arrangements within 6–9 months.

• Embed strategic planning functions and governance in the forthcoming Planning Bill.
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• Revise national policy to define the scope and status of strategic growth plans.
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• Require local areas to confirm strategic planning geographies.
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• Strengthen national skills and capacity for strategic planning.
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• CCN to support members in testing and refining the proposed governance model.