Planning Shake Up

Secretary of State Eric Pickles MP has outlined new measures today intended to give a shot in the arm to the development industry as Government searches for ways to heart-start the UK's stumbling economic performance. 

The reforms, which are proposed to be brought about swiftly to reduce planning delays, include:

• Relaxing permitted development rights for extensions to homes, shops and commercial premises
• Using the Planning Inspectorate to determine planning applications as a substitute for any local authorities with a track record of consistently poor performance.
• Broadening the definition of schemes that will be determined centrally by the Planning Inspectorate, as nationally significant infrastructure projects, to include some commercial and business developments.
• Speeding up the planning appeals process to help bring quicker decisions on commercial development projects in particular.
• Extension by a further year of the October 2009 provisions, Greater Flexibility for Planning Permissions, which enable extensions to the time limits for implementing planning permissions.  Permissions granted on or before 01 October 2010 which remain alive can be renewed by a simplified procedure if they are in danger of lapsing.
• Addressing the viability of developments that are tied to affordable housing contributions which, if reduced or removed, would help housing developments get started.  Local authorities are encouraged to deal with such matters positively and immediately, ahead of any legislative changes.

The Secretary of State's full statement can be viewed here.