This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6675137.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Planning shake-up for big schemes Planning shake-up for big schemes
(about 5 hours later)
Gaining permission for major building projects such as airport terminals and power stations would become a quicker process under government plans. Gaining permission for major building projects such as airport terminals and power stations would become quicker under government plans.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly wants to replace large planning inquiries in England with an independent commission.Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly wants to replace large planning inquiries in England with an independent commission.
She told the BBC the "incredibly difficult system" needed reform. She also told MPs the government would give "national planning statements" on needs for the next 10 to 25 years.
Environmentalists oppose the idea which the Tories describe as "plans for a new undemocratic government quango to dump developments on local communities". Environmentalists oppose the proposals, which the Tories say will "dump developments on local communities".
HeathrowHeathrow
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 Ms Kelly said the Independent Planning Commission - proposed in a white paper published on Monday - would take into account the potential local impact of large projects, such as on air quality, noise and traffic problems
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. It would "bring together experts" like lawyers and planners to help decide policy and there would be "better public engagement at every step of the way", she added.
"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. HAVE YOUR SAY The current planning system for major applications does not work W. Boucher, Cambridge class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6375&edition=1">Send us your comments
"In fact I would argue it only favours the well resourced, the people who can afford to pay professional lawyers fees. Ms Kelly said smaller planning applications - such as home extensions and conservatories - would be speeded up.
"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." To this end, planning documents would be "streamlined", she added.
'Complex' Developers would also have a "legal duty" to consult the public, Ms Kelly said, and described the current system as "inaccessible and sometimes baffling".
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."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....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.""Inquiries do take time. These issues are complex. We need to balance national and local issues."
'Green light'
There was a danger the proposed new system would "strip democratic accountability out of the planning system", he added.There was a danger the proposed new system would "strip democratic accountability out of the planning system", he added.
HAVE YOUR SAY The current planning system for major applications does not work W. Boucher, Cambridge Send us your comments
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.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.""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."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 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.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.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.
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord 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 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."
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.