Government sets out plans to speed up the planning process

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has set out plans to speed up the planning process and support better decision making in the system.

Under new plans to modernise the planning approval process, applications that comply with local development plans could bypass planning committees entirely to tackle chronic uncertainty, unacceptable delays and unnecessary waste of time and resources.

The measures would see a national scheme of delegation introduced, the creation of streamlined committees for strategic development and mandatory training for planning committee members.

Under the new plans, local planning officers will also have an enhanced decision-making role to implement agreed planning policy.

Alongside the proposed reforms, the government has also announced sweeping changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) following a consultation launched in July.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said, “Building more homes and infrastructure across the country means unblocking the clogged-up planning system that serves as a chokehold on growth. The government will deliver a sweeping overhaul of the creaking local planning committee system.

“Streamlining the approvals process by modernising local planning committees means tackling the chronic uncertainty and damaging delays. Grasping the nettle of planning committee reform and fast-tracking decision-making is a vital part of our Plan for Change.

“Through our Planning and Infrastructure Bill, alongside new National Planning Policy Framework and mandatory housing targets, we are taking decisive steps to accelerate building, get spades in the ground and deliver the change communities need.”

Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute added, “It’s encouraging to see the government explore these options in such an open way. These are the right questions to ask, and it is good that the government is prioritising collaboration, transparency, and consistency. By empowering qualified planners to implement planning policies, locally elected councillors will have the time to focus on unnecessary delays.

“By requiring councillors to undergo appropriate training before joining planning committees, we can ensure planning decisions are made for the greater good of the communities while aligning with national policies.”

The measures set out in the working paper will seek views from a range of planning, housing and local government experts before finalising proposal details for planning committees. The government will then publish a formal public consultation on these detailed proposals to coincide with the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill next year.