Impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review

Reasons for hope

• The Regional Growth Fund has been established with £1.4 billion set aside to stimulate economic growth in areas impacted by public sector cuts.
• The CSR recognised the importance of infrastructure spending.
• Crossrail has been kept.
• The planning system is to be reformed (again) to support economic development.
  

Reasons to be fearful

• CABE has been axed, leaving a large gap in design and architectural guidance to the development sector.
• Cities with a strong dependence on public sector employment will be most impacted.
• Local Authorities must slash budgets and will take resources away from Planning Departments, harming the potential for growth.