Planning for the Interaction of Housing and Labour Markets in the English Regions

Abstract

In developed formal economies, the majority of people at some point in their lives will, at the same time, participate in both the housing and labour markets. However, most people will not live and work in the same place but will instead have to contend with balancing disconnected residential and workplace locations. The interaction of housing and labour markets has long been recognized as a key process shaping the structure of cities and regions. This paper offers a critical reflection on the capacity and scope of recent policy interventions, underpinned by a new spatial planning-based system, to address the interaction of housing and labour markets in the English regions.

Notes

These figures are based on the 2000 US Census, the 2001 Census of Australia, and the 2001 UK Census.

Shaw and Lord (2009) offer an account of the evolution from land-use to spatial planning and explain more fully the features of the ‘new’ spatial planning system.

The research draws on a critical policy review of Regional Spatial Strategies and Regional Economic Strategies undertaken for the North West Development Agency and elements of research undertaken as part of a three-year government-sponsored study into effective local spatial planning in England (Spatial Plans in Practice ) (2005–2008). As part of the Spatial Plans in Practice study, a series of semi-structured interviews were undertaken predominantly with local authority planners, the local strategic partnership officer, representatives of community groups, organized stakeholders including representatives of Regional Development Agencies and Regional Planning Bodies, developers, and Government Office. However, there were also limited numbers of interviews with representatives from private consultancies, businesses, residents, utility providers, the health sector, statutory consultees, and elected members of the council (for a fuller explanation, see Baker Associates et al., 2008).

There are a number of ways to calculate affordability. In this instance, the affordability ratio was calculated as the difference between lower quartile house price and lower quartile household income.

In addition to Part One of the Unitary Development Plan for unitary authorities.

At the time of the research in 2007, the RESs and RSSs reviewed were in draft format and were subject to approval by central government.

A further set of reforms are planned for England in the long term around a planning system termed ‘Open Source’. However, at the time of writing it is uncertain what ‘Open Source Planning’ entails, how it will operate, or even how different it will be to the current spatial planning-based system.

The HCA is the national housing and regeneration agency for England. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by CLG.

As part of an emergency budget following the coalition governments' successful contestation of the 2010 General Election, it was announced that the public sector would face approximately £6.5 billion worth of cuts, with further cuts planned once the Comprehensive Spending Review has been undertaken later in this year.