The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles) has indicated that the coalition Government have taken a series of steps to ensure a
streamlined, easy-to-use planning system. A number of statutory
instruments to make planning practice swifter and simpler are being laid
this week.
Appeals
Reforms are being introduced from 1 October 2013 that mean that appeal decisions can be taken
sooner, while ensuring the process remains fair.
A
new commercial appeals service, closely modelled on the successful
householder appeals service, will introduce an expedited procedure for
some minor commercial appeals such as those relating to advertisement
consent or shop fronts, allowing decisions to be made in only eight
weeks.
These moves will "front-load" the appeals
system by requiring appellants to submit their full statement of case
when they appeal, and at the same time submit a draft statement of
common ground for hearings or inquiries.
Local planning authorities will need to notify
interested parties within one week, and submit their own case within
five weeks. The Planning Inspectorate will set earlier dates for
hearings and inquiries.
Where
appeals are allowed, development will be able to commence sooner,
bringing forward much needed jobs and growth.
Planning Permissions
In October 2012, a temporary measure that was introduced by the previous Government to enable applicants to seek more time to implement a planning permission was extended by 12 months. This temporary measure will not be extended further.
To complement the
£1 billion Government are investing to get stalled sites moving again
and help to reduce the 60,500 sites that are currently on hold this measure will encourage developments
to start on site promptly once planning permission is granted. So when the current extension expires at the end of the month, you will have to implement any latent planning permissions or risk losing them and having to start all over again.
There are a number of other minor measures but these two key changes bear consideration, particularly the removal of extension opportunities.
If you require advice on outstanding planning approvals or future planning appeals then do please contact me.
ianbutter@ruralurbanplanning.co.uk Tel: 07860 684604
