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Arts leaders demand equal recognition in state planning regime

Governance | Kirsty Weakley | 3 Oct 2011

A group of 20 arts organisations has released a statement condemning the lack of recognition for culture and the arts in the government’s draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

In a letter to yesterday's Sunday Telegraph, they said: “If we are to achieve ‘change for the better’ we need a planning framework that promotes and protects culture. Not one that ignores it.”

The Theatres Trust is leading the campaign to get arts organisations recognised in the document. Rob Dickins CBE, chairman of the Theatres Trust, said: “If the NPPF continues to remain silent on culture then theatres, concert halls, art galleries, museums, libraries, public art initiatives, crafts venues and artists’ studios will not be promoted or protected in national planning policy.”

Mhora Samuel, director at the Trust, told civilsociety.co.uk that: “We want culture to have the same status as sports and leisure facilities.”

She added that: “The NPPF is all about providing places for people and arts spaces do just that.”

Jonathon Banks, chief executive of the ixia public art think tank, said: “If the government cares about the social, economic and environmental development of places then it must explicitly include cultural activities within the NPPF.”

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “We are increasing planning protection for community facilities in the new Framework compared to existing planning rules.”

The department launched the draft NPPF in July, outlining plans to reform the planning system to make it less complex and promote sustainable growth. It is inviting responses to the document up until 17 October. People can respond online here.

Full list of signatories:

• Rob Dickins CBE, chairman, The Theatres Trust
• Mhora Samuel, director, The Theatres Trust
• Jonathan Banks, chief executive, ixia public art think tank
• Lorna Brown, chair, Arts Development UK
• Duncan Smith, chair, National Federation of Artists‟ Studio Providers and ACAVA artistic director
• Helen Pike, assistant director, National Federation of Artists‟ Studio Providers
• Robin Simpson, chief executive, Voluntary Arts
• Hilary Gresty, director, Visual Arts and Galleries Association (VAGA)
• Kate Adie, chairperson, National Campaign for the Arts
• Rosy Greenlees, executive director, Crafts Council
• Eddie Redfern, chairman, Little Theatre Guild (LTG)
• Caroline Miller, director, Dance UK
• Charlotte Jones, chief executive officer, Independent Theatre Council (ITC)
• Sheila McGregor, chief executive, Axis – the online resource for contemporary art
• Paul Hobson, director, Contemporary Art Society
• Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre & Theatrical Management Association
• David Brownlee, chief executive, Audiences UK
• Gillian Nicol, head of programmes, a-n The Artists Information Company
• Mark Pemberton, director, Association of British Orchestras
• Mark Taylor, director, Museums Association

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