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Local chartered surveyor shows softer side of planning

A North East chartered surveyor and qualified mediator has played his part in training what will soon be the first ever panel of Independent Neighbourhood Plan Examiners across the UK.

Kevan Carrick, principal of JK Property Consultants in Newcastle was approached by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to deliver a workshop on communication and negotiation skills to 20 candidates who, if successful, will be responsible for ensuring Neighbourhood Plans meet the needs of communities across Britain in an appropriate and sustainable way.

The two-day training course was organised by RICS in partnership with the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the Planning Officers Society (POS), the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and community support groups ACRE and LOCALITY.

The successful candidates are due to be announced in early December after which they will begin their duties with immediate effect.

Kevan Carrick said: “The National Planning Policy Framework and Localism Act were recently introduced by the government to make planning a much less litigious process and to engage the public on proposals for their area to a greater extent. As part of this Neighbourhood Plans have come into effect, allowing communities to have a direct say on plans for their area.

“Neighbourhood Plans can have a lifespan of up to 30 years so it is critical that they are fit for purpose. The role of the independent examiners will be to oversee the work of local councils and neighbourhood forums to ensure this is the case.

“Examiners should have a light touch and need to be confident in recommending amendments where required. Part of the session related to how to remain sensitive to people’s views, diplomatic and display clear leadership skills where there are minor issues.”

Martin Burns at RICS, said: “Kevan’s role in the training was a critical one. It is absolutely clear the Independent Neighbourhood Plan Examiners will need to be professionally qualified and independent, but they must also have softer people skills to ensure that each Neighbourhood Plan is ‘owned’ by all those with an interest in it.

“Kevan is chair for the mediation body Northern Dispute Resolution and this coupled with his extensive experience of advising organisations on strategic plans aimed at driving economic growth, meant he was ideally suited to the role.

“The new legislation is very welcome because there is a wide spread recognition that planning needs to be delivered faster and at a lower cost. The panel of Independent Neighbourhood Plan Examiners will provide access to qualified and regulated professionals who have been trained in the neighbourhood planning examination process. The panel will also provide clarity around costs and timescales for examination of neighbourhood plans. It is the next step in ensuring the right developments are progressed in the near future for the long term benefit of all.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Waddington .