Property Week quotes Claire Fallows on reforms to the planning system announced in the Autumn Statement
In the Autumn Statement, the chancellor stated that the government was “removing barriers to investment in critical infrastructure by reforming the planning system to speed up approvals”.
Claire Fallows, Partner, comments for Property Week:
"The Government clearly recognises the need to tackle the pace at which planning applications grind through the system, but it is action that is needed, not just more words.
Developers already enter into Planning Performance Agreements to help cover the costs of their applications, on top of fees. The Government needs to ring fence the funds received to planning services, boost resources at other organisations which provide critical input into the process and speed up the appeal system as a viable alternative.
Most of all, the planning system should not be a political football at any level. There should be fast track processes for sites which are already allocated in a development plan."
Read the full piece in Property Week here.