A ‘Technical consultation’ on planning has been published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) outlining a number proposals to improve the planning system, closing on 26 September, while the IHBC and partner bodies have highlighted the public interest issues.
IHBC and partners have highlighted concerns over issues in some of the proposals, especially Section 4 and changes proposed changes to the planning application process, and what it means for statutory notifications in the context of the documented reductions in local authority conservation service provision, wider regulation, and the role and contribution of amenity interests.
DCLG writes:
We are seeking views on proposals which will:
- make it even easier for residents and business to come together to produce a neighbourhood plan, drawing on the experience gained from over 900 neighbourhood areas which have already been designated by local authorities
- expand permitted development rights, further reducing red tape, supporting housing and growth; these proposals will help ensure the planning system is proportionate and full planning permission is only required where this is genuinely justified
- improve the use of planning conditions and enable development to start more quickly on site after planning permission is granted
- improve engagement with statutory consultees so they are consulted in a proportionate way on those developments where their input is most valuable
- remove unnecessary bureaucracy and reduce the cost and time taken to get planning permission, by raising the environmental impact assessment screening thresholds for industrial estate and urban development projects which are located outside of defined sensitive areas expand the number of non-planning consents which can be included within a development consent order
For the consultation see UK Gov website and for background
