Victoria Back dissects the Barker reforms for land-use planning
In December 2005 Kate Barker was commissioned to carry out an independent review of the planning system by the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister. Barker was specifically requested to consider how, in the context of globalisation and building on the reforms already put in place in England, planning policy and procedures can better deliver economic growth and prosperity alongside other sustainable development goals.
Barker published the Barker Review of Land Use Planning Interim Report—Analysis in July 2006, and the Barker Review of Land Use Planning Final Report—Recommendations (the final report) was published on 5 December 2006.
Barker said that she regards the planning system as performing a vital role in contributing to the quality of the lives of people in the communities in which they live, and believes that the planning system provides essential support to productivity and economic growth. The final report sets out recommendations to:
“…ensure that the planning system better supports economic growth, while maintaining or enhancing delivery of wider
