Public Misunderstanding of Planning System

Majority of planners say public misunderstands planning system, RTPI survey reveals

A recent survey by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and its member magazine The Planner has revealed a significant disconnect between professional planners and the public’s understanding of the planning system.

• Fewer than 14% of planners believe the public understands the purpose of planning.
• 96% say social and online media contribute to misinformation about planning issues in their area, up from 86% in 2023.
• 85% feel the public views planning as a hindrance rather than a benefit.
• Six in ten believe the public neither knows when nor how to engage with the planning process.

According to the survey, most planners feel the public holds deep-rooted misconceptions about planning, planners, and the wider system. This lack of public understanding undermines trust in planning decisions and weakens confidence in the plan-led system.

As recent years have shown, misinformation online can fuel campaigns that distort facts and mislead communities. This is especially damaging at the local level, where public involvement is essential to achieving fair and effective planning outcomes.

The RTPI is advocating for the inclusion of a clear, statutory statement defining the ‘purpose of planning’ in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This approach was successfully implemented in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, helping to enhance understanding and restore confidence in the planning system.

Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said:

“This low public understanding and often negative perception of planning has serious consequences for planners and the important work they do.

“We believe the time has come to embed the purpose of planning in law. A clear legal definition would not only guide the work of planners, but also serve to educate the public and other stakeholders about what planning is truly for.”

Simon Wicks, Editor of The Planner, said:

“The work of planners is highly complex and multi-faceted and requires considerable time navigating between the various views of how we want to live as a society.

“There’s a danger in oversimplifying this complex role that can easily lead to misrepresentation or misunderstanding, and the frustrations of planners is evident in their responses to these questions.”