A major new report calls for a cull of bureaucracy in the planning application process, to make it work better for everyone and help economic recovery.
Joanna Killian and David Pretty have developed an ambitious package of practical recommendations which will create a more proportionate, customer focused and responsive process. However, they will not alter the balance of decision making, weaken important safeguards, or reduce public consultation.
The report recommends that nearly 40% of minor non-residential, mainly commercial, planning applications - such as for small scale alterations and extensions - should be taken out of the planning system altogether, or subject to a much quicker process.
It also recommends improving the critically important pre-application phase, particularly for major developments, with a much greater focus on getting developers, councils and consultees, including local communities, to sort out key issues that could cause lengthy delays later in the process.
Further, it proposes a new customer focus for council planning performance, based on the quality of service provided throughout the whole process - not just on its speed.
These and other recommendations aim to speed up the process and improve its effectiveness and transparency. It is estimated that they could deliver up to £300 million of savings for councils, applicants and the wider economy each year.
