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'Simpler' planning rules unveiled Planning shake-up for big schemes
(about 9 hours later)
An overhaul of the planning system which will make it easier to build home extensions is being announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly. Gaining permission for major building projects such as airport terminals and power stations would become a quicker process under government plans.
The White Paper will suggest that minor projects like conservatories should no longer need planning permission where there is little impact on neighbours. Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly wants to replace large planning inquiries with a national independent commission.
It will also propose replacing public inquiries into major schemes with an independent commission. She told the BBC the "incredibly difficult system" needed reform.
The Tories and Lib Dems say the plans take power away from local communities. Environmentalists oppose the idea which the Tories describe as "plans for a new undemocratic government quango to dump developments on local communities".
Environmentalists fear they could lead to a rash of controversial developments such as new roads, waste facilities and nuclear power stations. Heathrow
Less bureaucracy Ms Kelly told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) - to be proposed in a white paper on Monday - would look at the potential local impact of large projects, such as on air quality, noise and traffic problems
The number of private planning applications has more than doubled since 1995 to almost 330,000 per year, and ministers say they are costly and cumbersome for homeowners. She added: "If you take a major infrastructure project like terminal five at Heathrow - that took seven years to go through the planning application process.
We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Local Government Association "It had to be considered under 37 different application, seven different pieces of legislation. Now, local people find that an incredibly difficult system to manage.
A seemingly routine planning application can take up to three months to be decided, and cost up to £1,000, they say. Yet nine out of 10 householder applications are finally agreed. "In fact I would argue it only favours the well resourced, the people who can afford to pay professional lawyers fees.
"The system that we want to set up is one that is much simpler to understand, and where the public is locked in at every stage of the consultation process."
'Complex'
But Neil Sinden, policy director at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "We are not as reassured as we would like to be about these safeguards."
He added: "The planning system is there to help us debate issues....
"Inquiries do take time. These issues are complex. We need to balance national and local issues."
There was a danger the proposed new system would "strip democratic accountability out of the planning system", he added.
Hugh Ellis, of Friends of the Earth, said: "The planning white paper will give the green light to massive new developments while stripping away opportunities for affected communities or the wider public to input on the decisions.
"This is policy making at its worse. It will destroy local communities and exacerbate climate change."
Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Dan Rogerson said: "All the indications suggest the changes will help Labour's friends in the nuclear and supermarket industries, rather than giving local people a genuine say in planning."
The white paper will also suggest minor projects like conservatories and home extensions should no longer need planning permission where there is little impact on neighbours.
The number of private applications has more than doubled since 1995 to almost 330,000 per year, and ministers say they are costly and cumbersome for homeowners.
Applications rising
A routine planning application can take up to three months to be decided and cost up to £1,000, they say. Yet nine out of 10 householder applications are finally agreed.
It is believed the changes could reduce the number of applications by up to 90,000 per year.It is believed the changes could reduce the number of applications by up to 90,000 per year.
Ms Kelly will say the system should support people's aspirations to improve their homes, while retaining safeguards on noise, siting and size to protect their neighbours.Ms Kelly will say the system should support people's aspirations to improve their homes, while retaining safeguards on noise, siting and size to protect their neighbours.
"Many people do not want to move but do want more room to bring up their kids, or to make minor home improvements or tackle climate change through micro-generation." The chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord Bruce Lockhart, said he agreed a less bureaucratic system was needed.
Chair of the Local Government Association, Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, said he agreed a less bureaucratic system was needed.
"We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like, if it cuts out a neighbour's view," he told BBC Breakfast."We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like, if it cuts out a neighbour's view," he told BBC Breakfast.
"We need to see in the White Paper how it deals with that, how it deals with the need to have a neater, faster simpler, but take in to account neighbours as well." "We need to see in the white paper how it deals with that, how it deals with the need to have a neater, faster simpler, but take in to account neighbours as well."
Urban sprawl Other measures in the White Paper include allowing minor amendments to be made to a planning permission without the need for a full planning application, for example the minor repositioning of a door and also plans to introduce a new fast-track appeals system.
For more major developments, an Independent Planning Commission (IPC) would look at the potential impact on air quality, noise and traffic problems.
But critics say the IPC starts with the assumption that the development will be given the green light.
The changes will help Labour's friends in the nuclear and supermarket industries, rather than giving local people a genuine say Dan Rogerson, Lib Dem spokesman
Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Conservatives will vigorously oppose the plans for a new undemocratic government quango to dump developments on local communities."
Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Dan Rogerson said: "All the indications suggest the changes will help Labour's friends in the nuclear and supermarket industries, rather than giving local people a genuine say in planning.
"Gordon Brown mustn't sacrifice local say in planning and sustainable development in a bogus quest for faster decisions."
Other measures in the White Paper include:
  • Allowing minor amendments to be made to a planning permission without the need for a full planning application, for example the minor repositioning of a door
  • Reducing bureaucracy by for example introducing a standard application form
  • Introducing a new fast-track appeals system
    • Hugh Ellis, from Friends of the Earth, criticised the proposals, saying: "The planning White Paper will give the green light to massive new developments while stripping away opportunities for affected communities or the wider public to input on the decisions.
    "This is policy making at its worse - it will destroy local communities and exacerbate climate change."