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Masterplans

Masterplanning is the process by which the future development plans for an area are created. The process is usually organised by the local authority as only they have the statutory powers necessary to ensure the plans are implemented.

The masterplanning process usually starts with a community consultation exercise designed to identify the local issues which need to be addressed. At the same time planners will be collecting a lot of other information about the area such as the extent and quality of housing, open spaces, industry etc.

Once the exercise of collecting data has been completed, the Planners will analyse the situation and develop a range of options for improving the area. The options may range in scale from making minor improvements to wholesale redevelopment or they may propose a number of different solutions to the problem. After the options have been developed they are usually costed so that any unaffordable solutions are excluded. Once the options are agreed there is another public consultation exercise which allows the local community to comment on the options and express their preference. Finally the planners will produce a report which sets out the agreed development plan for the area.

Urban Living has been supporting its partners to carry out master planning of certain areas. Urban Living itself has commissioned a masterplanning exercise for an area covering a central swathe of the Pathfinder and currently known as the Western Growth Corridor. The masterplans we have helped fund, are:

Urban Living has recognised that, for the community to get the greatest benefit from the exercise, they need to have some understanding of the process and thinking behind masterplanning. To help the community, Urban Living is intending to run some training courses before the masterplanning process starts.

* = Birmingham City Council