Disadvantages of the Discretionary Policy – Term Paper

Discretionary fiscal policy disadvantages

The discretionary planning policy was supposed to offer viable ways to guarantee sustainability and hence the efficiency of housing in the region. However, evidence indicates that the discretionary planning approach discredits the possibility of attaining energy efficiency. Pat of the reasons for the failure of the discretionary approach has been attributed to the age and the changing nature of the climate in the region. Contrary to the expectations that winters would be cold while summers very hot, the world has experienced significant shifts in its temperatures. The climatic changes have eliminated the benefits of having an energy efficient nation. Nonetheless, recent adjustments to the discretionary planning policies of the UK have prompted the need to ensure that all new homes demonstrate their proficiency to be at zero carbon (Alexandar, 2008; p. 70; White and Allmendinger, 2003; p. 962). The energy efficiency standards are expected to rise from 22% to 44% of better advocacy is attained.

Additionally, the building standards propose by the discretionary planning methodology utilize materials and skills that are less energy; p. Efficient as opposed to those from other regions that the UK emulates.  Thus, the industry ought to demonstrate its commitment to managing sustainability with regards to energy efficiency (Gobblar, 2002; p. 325). The government must create a balance whereby more efficient energy uses would be used for the development process. The government also ought to emphasize the need to ensure that energy efficiency is attained amidst its concerns to facilitate the creation of sustainable homes.

Discretionary housing policy

Another concern for the discretionary housing policy is to ensure that the homes are quality and serve the purpose that they were intended to serve. Before the adjustments made in the recent years, the policy had distinct methods of development for the low and high-class homes. However, as of the 1960’s, complaints regarding the differences in architectural designs were rife. Previous the planning had great concern for the quality of housing. The low-class estates were associated with a host of problems including poor management, maintenance, and allocation policies. Moreover, some of the developments emerged to be quite small and could not meet the needs of the people that they were developed for. Aesthetic issues were also a matter of concern for those in the sink estates. The discretionary policy made it impossible to create visually appealing homes because of the policies it put in place to govern the construction of such homes. The outcomes of the policy are that the landscape of regions made in the earlier years is not appealing. Gurran and Whitehead (2011; p. 1197) explains that the image portrayed represents the heritage of the nation. Thus, the need to have aesthetically appealing homes should be considered.

An ideal planning mechanism should also address the social needs of its population. Surveys from the UK indicates that there are minimal facilities for children and young adults. A socially empowered society must have adequate space for its growing population to play and interact (Janssen-Jansen & Woltjer, 2010; p. 911). Children play areas should also be isolated from traffic such that parents can have the confidence of letting their kids play outside homes occasionally. The quality of livelihood of the children of UK should not be compromised at the expense of development. The planning policy ought to take into consideration the needs of all its populations.

Discretionary Policy Opportunities

The world is moving towards a triple down effect society. Experts emphasize that all policies developed should seek to benefit the needs of the public by guaranteeing flexibility. Developers are more concerned with profit making when they take part in the process of completing projects. However, the discretionary planning policies have evolved to take care of the social, economic and environmental needs of the populace. The UK can use the policy to ensure that it attains sustainability even in the years to come. The policy would be ideal in responding to the needs of the society from the three perspectives (Healey and Shaw, 1994; p. 430). It also provides a framework upon which the society can evade political interferences that have an adverse impact on the development of the region. Instead, developers can now concentrate on responding to market opportunities while at the same time ensuring that conflicts are reconciled using modern solutions that support future rationality and comprehensive planning. To this effect, the design needs, quality concerns, efficient land use policies and concepts of sustainability can all be fused to ensure that a socially thriving population benefits from the use of discretionary planning policies.

Conclusion

  The adoption of the discretionary planning system provides the UK with a framework for creating sustainable, reliable communities. The planning system has given a chance for the UK to exploit housing development that responds to its needs regarding design and aesthetic appeal. Most importantly, it has provided a flexible framework upon which can development can be pursued with the interests of the communities. When the development shares a common vision with the public, it is likely that it would respond to its needs by creating spaces that are safe, attractive and support the social requirements of the populace. Most importantly, the UK’s housing sector remains highly competitive because of its focus on sustainable communities