Planning for leisure: Time for a radical rethink or just a slight adjustment?

Abstract

The Use Classes Order (UCO) is an important front-line mechanism for assisting in the aim of planning and controlling land uses. Over time the Order has changed to reflect changing patterns of land-use demand; the last overhaul of the definitions took place in 1987. Under this Order leisure uses are considered to be separate and distinguishable from retail. Since 1987 much has happened in relation to the use of land for leisure. There have been changes in the pattern of trade and growth in leisure parks and mixed-use schemes. These call into question the validity of the current distinction. So, should the UCO be updated to reflect better the actuality of land-use patterns, or is a more radical reform of the system required? There is an argument that changes to the UCO should increase the amount of prescription in permitted uses. Conversely, there is the argument that a more market-driven approach is appropriate. The fundamental aims of land-use planning are to resolve the conflicts that would result from unfettered market forces and to promote the development of urban areas in line with social and economic policy. The paper analyses the response to an opinion survey conducted on behalf of the Leisure Property Forum, to explore stakeholder attitudes towards possible changes to the UCO in order to advise on possible changes to the order.