Planning Reforms in Government Autumn Statement

Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement contained proposed planning reforms which, if they come through, will speed up the planning application system and deliver development more quickly. The proposals include the ability of councils to recover the full costs of major business planning applications in return for being required to meet guaranteed faster timelines. If they fail, fees will be refunded automatically with applications being processed free of charge.

Of equal note is the proposed investment of £110M over the next 2 years to deliver high quality nutrient mitigation schemes – unlocking 40,000 new homes currently ‘stuck’ in the planning application system. This will be particularly welcome in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, where waste water run-off causing river pollution has stalled many proposed residential developments – large and small alike.

For further details contact Peter Atfield B.TP MRTPI MTCPA FRGS FRSA on 01202 550100 or e-mail: [email protected]