'Simpler' planning rules unveiled

From the BBC...

Ministers are concerned about the time and bureaucracy involved an overhaul of the planning system which will make it easier to build home extensions is being announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly. The White Paper will suggest that minor projects like conservatories should no longer need planning permission where there is little impact on neighbours.

It will also propose replacing public inquiries into major schemes with an independent commission.

The Tories and Lib Dems say the plans take power away from local communities.
Environmentalists fear they could lead to a rash of controversial developments such as new roads, waste facilities and nuclear power stations.

Less bureaucracy

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.

"Many people do not want to move but do want more room to bring up their kids, or to make minor home improvements or tackle climate change through micro-generation."

Urban sprawl

For more major developments, an Independent Planning Commission (IPC) would look at the potential impact on air quality, noise and traffic problems.

But critics say the IPC starts with the assumption that the development will be given the green light.

Dan Rogerson, Lib Dem spokesman

Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "Conservatives will vigorously oppose the plans for a new undemocratic government quango to dump developments on local communities."

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.

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

Reducing bureaucracy by for example introducing a standard application form.

Introducing a new fast-track appeals system Hugh Ellis, from Friends of the Earth, criticised the proposals, saying: "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."

Full article: BBC