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Planning Bill

On 28.11.07 the government issued the Planning Reform Bill.

The Bill would implement proposals in the May 2007 Planning White Paper to streamline and improve the planning regime, including introducing a single consents regime for major infrastructure projects, establishing an Independent Infrastructure Planning Commission, and further measures to improve the Town and Country Planning System.

The Bill is covering the following issues:

  • More timely and predictable decisions on infrastructure projects which are key to economic growth, international competitiveness, tackling climate change, energy security and improving quality of life;
  • More transparent decisions with improved opportunities for public engagement;

    • Clearer national infrastructure policy and better developed infrastructure projects;

  • Ministerial involvement in infrastructure planning at the strategic stage rather than in individual decisions;
  • Deregulated local plan making, strengthening the local government place-making role and creating a more efficient appeals process with quicker decisions.
  • Establishing an infrastructure planning commission, its powers and functions;

    • Establishing a single consent regime for nationally significant infrastructure and a streamlined process for considering applications;

  • Statutory requirements on content and consultation on national infrastructure policy statements;

    • Statutory requirement for developers of infrastructure to consult affected people and communities before submitting applications;

  • Changes to process for local development plan documents and establishing arrangements for local authorities to decide appeals on minor planning applications.

    The full text of the Bill can be accessed from:
    http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/011/08011.i-v.html

    The full text of the Planning Bill - Impact Assessment is available from:
    http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/561912

    Source: www.publications.parliament.uk and www.communities.gov.uk (accessed 03/12/07)

    • This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 12th, 2007 at 2:18 pm and is filed under Environmental News, in Touch Legislation Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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