Britain’s top planner praises Plymouth’s planning team

Dr Peter Geraghty, President of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), praised Plymouth City Council’s planning team as he toured the city centre last week (26 and 27 April) and enjoyed a sneak preview of the Abercrombie Exhibition.

The Royal Town Planning Institute represents 23,000 planners worldwide working in the private, public, education and charity sectors, and is the membership organisation of professional planners in the UK.

Dr Peter Geraghty, RTPI President, said: “It has been a pleasure to see how Plymouth’s city centre has developed and spend time with local planners.  I was particularly interested in their innovative approach to cross-professional working and service delivery. Plymouth’s planners should be very proud of the work that they have done in working with local people to see how they think their city should develop.

"Plymouth’s planners have a great legacy. The 1943 Plymouth Plan was written by Sir Patrick Abercrombie, a pioneer of profession whilst the outcome of World War II was still in the balance. The city fathers of Plymouth had the confidence to employ Abercrombie who is widely considered to be one of the most influential planners of his day. I am sure he would have approved of the way that today’s planners in Plymouth are taking his ideas forward and working so closely with the community. It was a great privilege to see the Abercrombie Exhibition in advance of its opening to the public."

Paul Barnard, Assistant Director for Planning Services, said: “As a fellow Local Authority planner, the President understood the pressures staff are facing at the present time. His words of encouragement and recognition of the professionalism and dedication of Plymouth’s planners were a real boost.”

Dr Geraghty’s visit included a visit to the Council to meeting local authority planners, a guided walk through the city centre, a meeting with staff and students at Plymouth University, a Tour of Millbay, Devonport, Derriford, Sherford, a visit to The Making of A Modern City exhibition on the 1943 Abercrombie Plan for Plymouth, and a training event on plan making.