This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17514730

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Planning system awaits overhaul in England Planning system awaits overhaul in England
(about 1 hour later)
Ministers say changes to England's planning system, being unveiled later, will mean local people are more involved in the process.Ministers say changes to England's planning system, being unveiled later, will mean local people are more involved in the process.
They are publishing a revised national planning policy framework, following a row with conservation groups over last year's draft plans.They are publishing a revised national planning policy framework, following a row with conservation groups over last year's draft plans.
Ministers said it would simplify a complex system and help boost growth.Ministers said it would simplify a complex system and help boost growth.
But critics argued that a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" amounted to a "developer's charter".But critics argued that a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" amounted to a "developer's charter".
The government has been criticised for being too vague about what amounts to "sustainable development" and for saying in the draft plans that the "default answer to development proposals" should be "yes" - unless it compromised "key sustainable development principles".The government has been criticised for being too vague about what amounts to "sustainable development" and for saying in the draft plans that the "default answer to development proposals" should be "yes" - unless it compromised "key sustainable development principles".
'Public interest''Public interest'
But Chancellor George Osborne has argued that the complex planning system "puts at risk young people's future prosperity and quality of life" and simplifying it is "key to our economic recovery".But Chancellor George Osborne has argued that the complex planning system "puts at risk young people's future prosperity and quality of life" and simplifying it is "key to our economic recovery".
Planning Minister Greg Clark is due to make a statement about the new plans - which have been drawn up following consultation with developers, environmental groups and others and will come into force immediately - to MPs at about 1230 BST.Planning Minister Greg Clark is due to make a statement about the new plans - which have been drawn up following consultation with developers, environmental groups and others and will come into force immediately - to MPs at about 1230 BST.
Asked to explain what amounted to sustainable development, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What it means is there is a test as to whether, in effect, it would be in the public interest to approve an application.Asked to explain what amounted to sustainable development, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What it means is there is a test as to whether, in effect, it would be in the public interest to approve an application.
"If there are reasons, for example if it destroys the environment, if it builds on the green belt, if it builds outside a town centre if it's a commercial premises when you want to keep town centres thriving, then that would not be sustainable, it would not be in the public interest and so it should not go ahead.""If there are reasons, for example if it destroys the environment, if it builds on the green belt, if it builds outside a town centre if it's a commercial premises when you want to keep town centres thriving, then that would not be sustainable, it would not be in the public interest and so it should not go ahead."
He said the idea behind the presumption was to simplify a complex system - which people had felt imposed targets on them, rather than involving them from the beginning.He said the idea behind the presumption was to simplify a complex system - which people had felt imposed targets on them, rather than involving them from the beginning.
He said if you "take people from the beginning along with you" the chances were "tensions" over planning applications would ease.He said if you "take people from the beginning along with you" the chances were "tensions" over planning applications would ease.
The draft version of the new guidelines reduced a 1,300-page document to 52 pages - the final booklet is just 50.The draft version of the new guidelines reduced a 1,300-page document to 52 pages - the final booklet is just 50.
'Garden-grabbing''Garden-grabbing'
It is understood that the reworked framework will say councils should encourage development on "brownfield" sites first - those already built on in the past.It is understood that the reworked framework will say councils should encourage development on "brownfield" sites first - those already built on in the past.
The first version had been criticised for not doing so - but the presumption in favour of sustainable development remains in the plans.The first version had been criticised for not doing so - but the presumption in favour of sustainable development remains in the plans.
It has also been reported that a new clause is likely to be inserted into the paper creating new rules against "garden-grabbing" - the selling of garden land for extra development.It has also been reported that a new clause is likely to be inserted into the paper creating new rules against "garden-grabbing" - the selling of garden land for extra development.
Whitehall sources say they believe there are sufficient assurances for green campaigners in the new plans, but say it will still be an "unashamedly pro-growth document".Whitehall sources say they believe there are sufficient assurances for green campaigners in the new plans, but say it will still be an "unashamedly pro-growth document".
Opponents of the draft plan included the National Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Friends of the Earth.Opponents of the draft plan included the National Trust, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Friends of the Earth.
'Untested approach'
Ahead of Tuesday's publication Friends of the Earth's campaigns director Craig Bennett said: "A strong planning system is vital for building the clean economy promised by government, but there are mounting concerns that ministers will unleash a building free-for-all that will infuriate local communities and devastate our countryside."Ahead of Tuesday's publication Friends of the Earth's campaigns director Craig Bennett said: "A strong planning system is vital for building the clean economy promised by government, but there are mounting concerns that ministers will unleash a building free-for-all that will infuriate local communities and devastate our countryside."
He said the new regulations "must spell out what is meant by 'sustainable development' - to ensure the right buildings are built in the right place and in the best interests of local people and our environment".He said the new regulations "must spell out what is meant by 'sustainable development' - to ensure the right buildings are built in the right place and in the best interests of local people and our environment".
The CPRE also raised concerns that the definition of "sustainable development" was too vague to govern planning policy and could give way to a "free for all". The CPRE has also said it feared the planning changes would not deliver enough affordable homes - one of the key benefits supporters say they will provide.
It also said it feared the planning changes would not deliver enough affordable homes - one of the key benefits supporters say they will provide. And Roberta Blackman-Woods, for Labour, said: "The government's planning reforms could cause widespread chaos with many developments held up, while the courts decide how to interpret this radically new and untested approach.
"This would both harm the house building we desperately need and put our countryside and green spaces at risk of unwanted development."
But Simon Nunn, from the National Housing Federation, said the new regulations were a step in the right direction: "I don't think it's going to unleash a development free for all.But Simon Nunn, from the National Housing Federation, said the new regulations were a step in the right direction: "I don't think it's going to unleash a development free for all.
"There's a housing crisis in the country, we're only building half the homes that we need. Planning is part of the jigsaw and I think that a positive planning framework combined with the right investment framework will help us.""There's a housing crisis in the country, we're only building half the homes that we need. Planning is part of the jigsaw and I think that a positive planning framework combined with the right investment framework will help us."
Are you affected by this story? Please send us your experiences using the form below.Are you affected by this story? Please send us your experiences using the form below.