More money and extra safeguards are needed to ensure the UK’s housing and regeneration projects reap the benefits that should arise from a new white paper, lawyers say.
Planning for a Sustainable Future, published last week, includes reforms aimed at simplifying applications for residential property extensions, minor development on non-residential land and creation of a dedicated commission to deal with infrastructure and other projects of national significance.
However, Christopher Proudley, partner at Trowers & Hamlins, says that without proper policing and proper investment there are doubts this freed up time will result in a big improvement in approval times.
Proudley comments: “This white paper promises a lot for loft conversions and nuclear power stations but if regeneration schemes are to be speeded up there need to be more sticks provided to keep planning departments on track.”
At present, he says, if a planning application is delayed there are no sensible sanctions available. Until now, planning authorities have argued that they have so little capacity that any sanctions to ensure planning applications
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