Civic societies and community groups are often depicted – and from various directions – as nimbys, blockers and stubborn conservationists. They are accused of wielding too much influence over planners and politicians, and of being dominated by affluent older people intent upon impeding change of whatever kind.
Architect Ben Derbyshire begs to differ. A former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects and current chair of architectural practice HPA, he is also president of the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies, which represents the views and interests of more than 100 such organisations in the capital.
Speaking to London Society chair Leanne Tritton and I in our latest Talk About London podcast, Ben was both clear and very candid about the role of amenity and civic societies.
Pointing out that they have no formal powers over local planning policies or their implementation at all, he described the campaigning efforts of some as leaving much to be desired – the words”hyperbolic” and “mendacious” were used – but that some others have made valuable contributions, often by drawing attention to possible breaches of planning policy or weaknesses in planning applications.
After taking us through the early history of civic societies in London as boldly progressive forces (the contributions of reformer Octavia Hill and industrialist Robert Owen were mentioned) he emphasised that their purpose today should be to “serve the public good”, which means most of all encouraging the provision of more housing in London.
Watch the whole of the podcast below or enjoy the audio version at the London Society website.
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