PLANNING REFORM BILL

The purpose of the bill is to:

• Streamline and improve planning including introducing a single consents regime for major infrastructure projects, establishing an independent infrastructure planning commission and further measures to improve the town and country planning system.

The main benefits of the bill are:

• more timely and predictable decisions on infrastructure projects which are key to economic growth, international competitiveness, tackling climate change, energy security and improving quality of life;
• more transparent decisions with improved opportunities for public engagement;
• clearer national infrastructure policy and better developed infrastructure projects;
• Ministerial involvement in infrastructure planning at the strategic stage rather than in individual decisions;
• deregulated local plan making, strengthening the local government place making role and a more efficient appeals process with quicker decisions.

The main elements of the bill are:

• establishing an infrastructure planning commission, its powers and functions;
• establishing a single consent regime for nationally significant infrastructure and a streamlined process for considering applications;
• statutory requirements on content and consultation on national infrastructure policy statements;
• statutory  requirement for developers of infrastructure to consult affected people and communities before submitting applications;
• changes to process for local development plan documents and establishing arrangements for local authorities to decide appeals on minor planning applications.

The Bill would apply to:

• A mixture of UK, England and Wales and England only. The Government will work closely with the Devolved Administrations on the responsibilities they have in this area.

Related Documents:

• The white paper Planning for a Sustainable Future, published on 21 May 2007 by the Secretaries of State for Communities and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Transport and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1510503).

Existing Legislation in this area includes:

• Electricity Act 1986,
• Gas Act 1965,
• Pipelines Act 1962,
• Transport and Works Act 1992,
• Harbours Act 1964,
• Highways Act 1980,
• Water Industries Act 1991,
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990,
• Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Comments:

If you have any comments on the draft programme or individual bill being proposed, you can email them to:

legislation@commonsleader.x.gsi.gov.uk