Plans to streamline planning applications unveiled

Proposals to reduce the number of nationally-prescribed information requirements for outline planning applications are contained in a consultation on streamlining the planning application process published yesterday.

by Michael Donnelly 4 July 2012

The government’s Plan for Growth, issued alongside the 2011 Budget, announced its intention to simplify and streamline the arrangements for making and determining planning applications in England.

Alongside a cut in nationally-prescribed requirements, which could remove the requirement for details of layout to be specified at the outline applicatuion stage and see a review of the content of Design and Access Statements where these are being provided in support of outline applications, the consultation document proposes:

  • "Strong encouragement" for local planning authorities to keep their local information requirements under frequent review
  • The amalgamation of standard application form requirements for agricultural land declarations and ownership certificates.
The document said: "The key issue is that the right information must be available, at an appropriate time, to support good decision-making. The National Planning Policy Framework guides applicants to discuss information requirements with the local planning authority and key consultees early on. The changes proposed here support this approach: they remove nationally-imposed requirements that are not needed for every application, allowing space for local agreement on what is needed".

Planning minister Greg Clark said: "Following the simplification of the national planning policy in the National Planning Policy Framework, these proposed changes streamline the process of applying for planning permission.

"Our aim is to have a system that applicants and members of communities can be confident will give a reliable, swift and fair outcome."

Streamlining information requirements for planning applications: Consultation can be read here.