Communities and Local Government (CLG) has unveiled a wide-ranging package of proposals designed to implement the reforms recommended by the Killian Pretty Review. The package includes proposals for changes to the English planning system in relation to permitted development rights, Article 4 Directions (the locally defined restrictions to national permitted development rights) as well as proposed modifications to the regulation of non-domestic hard-surfacing. Also out for consultation are plans to reduce the amount of information applicants must submit with their planning applications.
In addition, CLG has begun asking for views about publicity for major planning applications though at this stage ministers are stressing they have an open mind about the Killian Pretty recommendation that there should be requirements to advertise applications in local newspapers. The measures outlined should result in around 30 per cent of minor non-residential proposals from businesses being taken out of the planning system altogether or subject to a much simpler process. The new regime would mean that more minor extensions and alterations to shops, offices, industry and institutions (including schools, universities and hospitals) can proceed without a planning application.
It would involve the creation of an intermediate approach (between permitted development and full planning application) whereby permission is deemed granted if the local planning authority does not object within 28 days. This approach (already used for mobile phone masts) would be used for shop fronts and cash points.
The proposals would also ensure local authorities only ask for information from developers that are relevant and necessary. This will include simplifying the requirements for all Design and Access Statements (DAS) by requiring a more straightforward explanation of how the context of the development influences its design and reducing the number of applications that require a DAS for small-scale changes.
Planning minister John Healey said: “These proposals will cut red tape and bureaucracy. By taking smaller applications out of the planning system and cutting the amount of unnecessary information required for planning applications we can save up to £90m a year which would usually be lost in the administrative process.”
In a related development, CLG has signalled plans to streamline planning policy statements (PPSs), to make them clearer, shorter and more user-friendly for local planning authorities and developers.
As recommended by the Killian Pretty Review, the department is conducting a wide-ranging review, which will change 13 of the 26 PPSs by the end of the year. When this stage is complete, 21 PPSs will remain, including a new statement on development management.
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