UK’s planning system set to become more streamlined

Removing red tape will unblock application bottlenecks

The government recently announced a further review of the UK’s planning system. The review 'Planning Applications: a faster and more responsive system’ was launched by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, Business Secretary John Hutton and Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint to examine what can disrupt the progress of an application from when it is submitted to when a decision is finally made.

Hutton said the slow progress of planning applications was one of the top five concerns for companies investing in the UK and there are ‘still slow and cumbersome parts of the process’ with delays occurring even after permission was granted.

The latest review will specifically look at reducing bottlenecks and delays and identifying new technologies to speed up the system.

It will also try and remove unnecessary paperwork and examine how statutory consultees like Highways Agency, Environment Agency and Natural England could become involved sooner in the application process.

Blears said that “by removing red tape and unblocking the bottlenecks that are slowing down applications, we can create a planning system for people that makes it easier to apply, easier to be heard and easier to be Green.”

A major overhaul of the planning system is already under way through the Planning Reform Bill which is in Parliament and proposes an independent infrastructure planning commission combined with a single consent regime for projects of national significance such as power stations, reservoirs and airports. A further four bills are to be debated by MPs in Parliament.