Active travel has increasingly been climbing the transport planning agenda, but this change now cements its place at the forefront of everything we do.
Active Travel, it has been the future, has it now become the present?
13 Jun 23
As of 1st of June, Active Travel England (ATE) has become a statutory consultee on all large planning applications, developments equal to or exceeding 150 housing units, 7,500 m2 of floorspace or an area of 5 hectares. Active travel has increasingly been climbing the transport planning agenda, but this change now cements its place at the forefront of everything we do.
At the Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum in May, we heard from Danny Williams, Head of ATE who provided an insight into how ATE will operate:
Planning Applications
Crucially, ATE will not have the power to object to schemes but their comments are likely to carry significant weight with local authorities, particularly those who achieved a high ATE capability score and are showing willing on active travel.
ATE envisages reviewing approximately 3,000 applications a year with applications triaged by the amount of support or advice the scheme requires. Applications which clearly demonstrate a thorough consideration of active travel commitments will avoid delays to the project through comments from ATE.
Clear promotion of these commitments will not only smooth the route through planning but will also lead to health, environmental and economic benefits.
Active Travel Funding
The other key function of ATE will be to support local authorities with bids for active travel funding where their aim is to provide improved networks rather than individual pieces of infrastructure.
So how we can help?
Currently Iceni is undertaking a number of accessibility and connectivity studies for a range of clients with a view to evolving these into formal Active Travel Reports. These can be used to identify areas for improvement on a range of scales.
The reports can directly impact upon the success of your schemes, highlighting clearly and quickly to ATE and wider stakeholders that you have fully considered and are committed to maximising active travel opportunities.
Just get in touch if you would like to discuss.
Matt Bolshaw
Senior Planner,Transport
Related insights:
-
How can heritage be used to regenerate places and foster a sense of collective belonging?
29 Aug 23 | Ruby Maynard Smith
-
Iceni Place
18 Jul 23 | Philippa Curran
-
A better approach to social value
17 Jul 23 | Gemma Gallant
-
People as Infrastructure
04 Jul 23 | Paul Drew