The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a public consultation about proposed changes to planning laws which are aimed at "streamlining the planning system". The proposals are described in Technical Consultation on Planning (click on the title to download). This is a complex 98 page document, but its proposals are summarized by the Department as follows:
We are seeking views on proposals which will:
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- 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
The main effect of the proposed changes would be to make it easier and quicker for land and property owners to carry out new build, alter existing buildings or change the uses of buildings and land. This general principle includes making it easier for shops, restaurants, banks etc to convert from one use to another - with two important exceptions: the Department is proposing reduced flexibility where owers wish to convert shops or offices into betting shops or pay-day loan offices
Anyone wishing to express views about the proposals is invited to complete an online response form and write to or email the Department. The deadline is 11.45pm on 26 September 2014.
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