In September 2024 ixia submitted a response to the UK government's consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.
ixia considers that the government should take the opportunity to strengthen the NPPF provisions on design and place-making by including reference to public art. Public art engages people in its processes to strengthen place-making, identity and belonging. The 2014 Planning Practice Guidance on Design stated that “public art and sculpture can play an important role in making interesting and exciting places that people enjoy using.” Unfortunately, this reference was removed from later iterations of the PPG. Many local planning authorities around the country have nonetheless adopted development plan policies or supplementary planning documents encouraging the provision of public art in new developments. However, there is inconsistency nationally, with some authorities having no policies or guidance at all. Furthermore, in light of the current absence of support at the level of national planning policy and guidance, it can be challenging for local authorities to justify requirements for the provision of public art in individual cases.
There is plentiful evidence as to why public art is important to people, places, health and wellbeing and economy including in Ming Cheung, Gilbert Guaring, Natasha Smith & Owen Craven, ‘The Impacts of Public Art on Cities, Places and People’s Lives, The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society, (2021) DOI: 10.1080/10632921.2021.1942361
which states: "Public art’s accessibility to a broad audience and its potential to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds have granted it a unique power to make strong, enduring impacts on cities, places and people’s lives.”
The Town and Country Planning Association March 2021 report on civic art and planning found multiple benefits to be gained from civic art including health and wellbeing, economic success and place identity.
Accordingly, ixia suggested that two amendments be made to the current Chapter 12 of the NPPF, “Achieving well-designed and beautiful places”.
1. The current paragraph 135(d) should be updated to include reference to public art. The following amended wording is suggested: 135. Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments:
d) establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials – as well as public art, memorials and statues – to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit;
2. A new paragraph should be included in Chapter 12 encouraging local authorities to adopt policies that support the provision of public art for major developments. ixia proposes the following wording:
Public art, memorials and statues are important for shaping distinctive places, providing character, identity and community cohesion. Public art can improve the quality and character of an area, actively engaging communities and delivering wider social and economic and health and wellbeing benefits. Local planning authorities should adopt evidence-based public art policies that encourage the provision of high-quality public art for major developments, through planning conditions or section 106 agreements, and encourage public art in placeshaping initiatives such as in town centres, high streets and public realm improvements. Where appropriate, local authorities should also adopt supplementary commissioning guidance and wider public art strategies to aid the implementation of these policies.