The planning system

Government has published plans for overhauling the planning system. You can read it here.

Its four main elements are, in Government's own words, as follows:

• A better, quicker system to decide major infrastructure projects with enhanced community engagement and an improved level of expertise.
• Simplifying the local planning system for householders to make it far easier to make home improvements like extensions and conservatories, where there is little or no impact on neighbours.
• Planning playing a bigger role in tackling climate change.
• Ensuring the planning system continues to support vibrant town centres.

The Confederation of British Industries welcomes the announcement, saying that it 'introduces necessary reforms to help deliver the major projects, particularly in transport and energy, which the UK is crying out for if it is to remain competitive' It also 'welcomes the government's acceptance of Kate Barker's findings that local authorities need to give more weight to economic development through the planning system, rather than simply concentrating on development controls.' See here for more information.

However, eEnvironmental groups such as the CPRE have concerns. In particular CPRE notes that 'Despite calls from a wide variety of conservation and civic charities for the Government to reconsider its proposals for speeding up the planning and building of major infrastructure – such as motorways, big power stations, runways, ports, waste incinerators and reservoirs – these proposals are going ahead without significant changes.' See here for more information.