Developing a Spatial Strategy for the New Era of Strategic Planning

With Government backing and industry commitment, strategic plan-making is firmly back on the agenda; big, bold, and ready to drive delivery across England. At David Lock Associates, strategic planning is a core strand of our DNA, and we have more than 35 years’ experience in designing and delivering successful places at scale. Our practice is grown of and operates from Milton Keynes, a living laboratory conceived of a strategic plan, delivered on place, with purpose, and continues to evolve.  

Strategic planning requires an approach that is long-term; applied to growth at scale; and requires collaboration from those who facilitate development and infrastructure, to deliver growth with a set of clear and meaningful commitments. The broader the lens through which to plan, the greater the scope to influence positive and meaningful change.  

Strategic planning can unlock opportunities that would otherwise be ignored or constrained by local plans. Operating at scale allows identification of broader areas of search with the capacity to support integrated and strategic infrastructure. Operating across a longer term allows flexibility for that opportunity to evolve, deliver and endure over time. 

We apply a ‘big picture, creative thinking’ approach to our work for both public and private sector clients, to drive solutions for tricky problems across large geographies. Good places for growth are undeniable, whether they are identified by the private or public sector.  

Our work across a series of strategic growth studies has identified and evaluated options for large scale growth. We have a unique, data-driven, deliverable method in the strategic spatial optioning arena, which we believe sits at the heart of building a robust spatial strategy for a strategic plan. 

Over the next few weeks, we are going to share some insights from this work, to support the ‘new’ era of strategic planning. Follow our LinkedIn to stay up to date with our series on strategic spatial strategies, from the people developing and applying it.  

WARNING: We promote an approach that innovates and breaks with convention. Only by thinking differently can we achieve what is needed for people, place, nature, infrastructure and resources.