FRONT COVER FRONT COVER 1 20 20 OneOne P Powerhouseowerhouse TowardsTowards a a spatial spatial blueprint MidlandsMidlands INSIDE FRONT COVER 2 Important Note from Authors You will have noticed that this report is dated 2020. Indeed, our view is that the likely negative effects of the lockdowns and social distancing, combined with the The delay in publishing has been brought about by the cross-party aspirations for levelling up, make our draft Coronavirus lockdowns. Spatial Plans even more relevant as a very practical and transparent road map to delivering an equitable, Any issues that might necessitate allusion to Coronavirus sustainable future for the Regions of England - in the do not, we feel, have a profound impact on the factors shortest possible time. that underpin the approach, findings, plans or recommendations contained in our reports. One Powerhouse Consortium Board and RSA January 2021 About the One About the RSA Powerhouse Consortium The One Powerhouse The RSA (Royal Society Consortium, supported by for the encouragement The Sir Hugh and Lady Sykes of Arts Manufactures and Charitable Trust, believes that a Commerce) believes in a substantial part of the problem world where everyone is able to participate in creating a of regional inequality can be better future. Through our solved not just by money, but ideas, research and a 30,000 by the transformative potential strong Fellowship we are a of spatial planning. Working global community of proactive with recognised leaders in problem solvers. We unite people and ideas to resolve the creating draft spatial plans challenges of our time. for the ‘mega regions’ of England to sit alongside the existing spatial plans for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Barton Willmore is the UK’s largest independent, integrated the very best advice. We are passionate about creating places that are not only commercially viable, but also sustainable, dynamic and progressive. By curating teams of Planners and Designers with a Barton Willmore would like to thank everyone who contributed to the research behind the project, including East Midlands Councils, Futures Network West Midlands, Homes England and the UK2070 Commission. the 21st November 2019. © The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of The Barton Willmore Partnership. All plans are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Crown Copyright Reserved. License No. 100019279. Desk Top Publishing and Graphic Design by Barton Willmore Graphic Communication INSIDE FRONT COVER 3 Contents Fuelling the Engine 4 Our Midlands Manifesto for Prosperity: About the One About the RSA Strategic Priorities 6 Powerhouse Consortium A Vision for Britain. Planned. 8 The One Powerhouse The RSA (Royal Society Consortium, supported by for the encouragement The Importance of Spatial Planning 10 The Sir Hugh and Lady Sykes of Arts Manufactures and Charitable Trust, believes that a Commerce) believes in a Assumptions about the future 12 substantial part of the problem world where everyone is able of regional inequality can be to participate in creating a Introduction & Approach 16 solved not just by money, but better future. Through our by the transformative potential ideas, research and a 30,000 Analytical Frameworks 20 of spatial planning. Working strong Fellowship we are a with recognised leaders in global community of proactive Population & Place 20 the field, the consortium is problem solvers. Uniting creating draft spatial plans people and ideas to resolve Transport & Connectivity 30 for the ‘mega regions’ of the challenges of our time. England to sit alongside the Economy 38 existing spatial plans for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Energy 52 Summary of Challenges 56 Barton Willmore is the UK’s largest independent, integrated planning and design consultancy. From our 13 offices nationwide, Compelling Visions 58 we combine national influence with local knowledge to offer you the very best advice. We are passionate about creating places that The Midlands Regional Blueprint 58 are not only commercially viable, but also sustainable, dynamic and progressive. By curating teams of Planners and Designers with a A Prosperous Midlands 60 diverse range of skills and specialisms, we offer our clients a highly Place-Making For Tomorrow 66 efficient, informed and innovative service tailored to the challenges they face on projects of all different types. A Greener Midlands 74 Barton Willmore would like to thank everyone who contributed to the research behind the project, including East Infrastructure, The Enabler of Growth 80 Midlands Councils, Futures Network West Midlands, Homes England and the UK2070 Commission. Institutional Framework 90 The data and figures presented in the project are up-to-date as of the 21st November 2019. Infrastructure Programme 94 © The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced Conclusion 102 in whole or in part without the written consent of The Barton Willmore Partnership. All plans are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Map with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Crown Copyright Reserved. License No. 100019279. Desk Top Publishing and Graphic Design by Barton Willmore Graphic Communication 4 Fuelling the Engine The success of The Midlands will be dependent upon how we respond today to challenges facing the megaregion. The way that we plan for The Midlands and deliver its growth aspirations and infrastructure requirements is becoming increasingly complicated by macro-level processes. These include technological advancements, climate change, resource management, politics and societal shifts in our views on health and well-being. By 2070, it is reasonable to assume that planning will face more shocks, as generational priorities change, and environmental pressures increase. Planning provides a vehicle for the delivery of social inclusivity and equitable outcomes alongside the normal activities of balancing social, economic and environmental priorities. Without structures in place to plan strategically and to the debate over the megaregion’s long-term future. holistically, we are failing to make the most of current The Spatial Blueprint could be taken forward to address infrastructure investments and future opportunities the challenges we consider are relevant to The Midlands which, in turn, means productivity is lower than it today and in the coming decades. It has identified The should be. If the megaregion is to continue to function Midland’s existing assets and networks and envisioned as the engine room, situated at the heart of the UK, a ‘what could be’ to unlock economic and social potential. new vision for the coming generation is required. This document sets out a Manifesto for Prosperity Barton Willmore has drawn upon its multidisciplinary comprising of 10 Strategic Priorities, that serve expertise and strategic knowledge of working within as a starting point for engagement between the the megaregion to develop a Spatial Blueprint that Government, local authorities, infrastructure providers, serves as a broad spatial framework. This will sit investors, developers and communities in ensuring The alongside work already undertaken by the Government Midland’s ongoing success in the 50 years ahead. as part of The Midlands Engine Strategy and will add 5 Infrastructure: A Prosperous the Enabler of Growth Midlands FUELLING THE NATION’S ENGINE A Greener Place-Making Midlands for Tomorrow 6 Our Midlands Manifesto for Prosperity: Strategic Priorities A Prosperous Place-making Midlands for Tomorrow 1 4 Establish Sector-specific Centres of Implement a Mixed Strategy for Excellence and Innovation Boards. Housing Growth. 2 5 Strengthening Key Investment Corridors and Delivering Adaptable Places. Identifying new Inclusive Growth Corridors. 3 Undertaking a Strategic Green Belt Review. 7 A Greener Infrastructure: Midlands the Enabler of Growth 6 8 Establishing the Midlands Automotive Investing in the Midlands Motorway Arc (AA) and Eastern and Western Energy and Rail Hubs. Innovation Zones. 9 7 Using Development Corporations/Special A holistic approach to Flood Defence and Purpose Vehicles to optimise Strategic Water Management to protect the UK’s Gateways. National Food Security. 10 Targeted Programme of investment in 5G to benefit key sectors. 8 A Vision for Britain. Planned. The One Powerhouse Consortium, Regional inequality in the UK supported by The Sir Hugh and Lady Ruby Today, just under half of the UK population live in Sykes Charitable Trust, believes that a regions with a comparable productivity to the poorer substantial part of the problem of regional parts of former East Germany – and comparable living standards are worse. According to the recent UK2070 inequality in the UK can be solved not Commission, the UK today is more intraregionally just by money, but by the transformative unequal than Germany was in 1995. Since reunification, potential of spatial planning. Germany has since pulled itself together, through decisive investment programmes underpinned by Spatial planning is the ‘where’ of decisions. It looks at visionary spatial planning. During a similar period the a defined geographical area and makes an assessment UK, on the other hand, has fragmented. of everything contained in that area – towns, cities, housing, schools, universities, roads, rails, airports, The nature and extent of the so-called ‘North-South’ offices, factories, hospitals, energy sources, museums, divide can