Domenic Donatantonio,
Planning,
4 July 2008
The government has announced an extension of the communities secretary's powers to determine planning appeals.
In a statement to parliament this week, two new criteria were granted, under which the minister can choose to hear appeals in place of an inspector. The changes follow the review of the 2006 criteria set out in the white paper Planning for a Sustainable Future.
Incumbent Hazel Blears will now be able to consider recovery of appeals for measures such as developments of major importance with more than local significance and proposals that prompt "substantial regional or national controversy".
Her remit will also extend to proposals that raise "important or novel issues of development control", schemes to which another government department has raised major objections or has a interest in, and proposals of major significance for the delivery of climate change and energy policies.
The minister will additionally have powers for any residential development proposal of more than 150 homes or on sites of more than 5ha that affect government objectives to balance between housing demand and supply. The other criteria under which the secretary of state can hear an appeal remain unchanged.
Around 27,000 appeals are made each year in England, the majority decided by inspectors. Last year, 110 appeals were determined by the secretary of state, usually because the project was large or proved controversial.
