Lord Shipley (LD)

My Lords, Amendment 160 is in my name and that of my noble friend Lady Pinnock. Given the debates and discussion that we have had on recent groups, it is increasingly important. Amendment 160 seeks to implement a long-term spatial strategy, a “national spatial framework”, to bring together all the national plans and strategies across all sectors and across all Whitehall departments. It would integrate plan-making across the country at a local level. Two or three groups ago, the noble Lord, Lord Lansley, referred to the coming patchwork quilt of spatial strategies. He is right in that respect. A framework, which has been proposed by the Royal Town Planning Institute, would be increasingly important. Currently, there are several existing and emerging national strategies. For example, the 10-year infrastructure strategy recognises that national spatial strategies are needed. Similarly, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has included a duty for mayors to collaborate to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of the people in their area. A national spatial framework would provide the strategic direction and evidence base to enable mayoral bodies to discharge such duties. As new plans are developed and existing plans are updated in the future, there would then be a clear connection between all existing plans from the framework. This would improve alignment of plans. It would help the Government achieve their goal of building homes and growing the economy, and on the natural environment and clean energy. It would mean that collaboration between Whitehall departments could be prioritised. This amendment, which, as I said, originated from the Royal Town Planning Institute, is a very positive set of proposals, which I hope the Government will be prepared to listen to, think about and adopt. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s views. As I said a moment ago, I have come to the conclusion that, given the complexity of all the different spatial strategies—the levels and places—they need to be brought together. The context of a framework at a national level would be extremely helpful for the Government.