Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Published by Tim Hill.

The UK's current array of non-planning consents may need to be reformed in the future in order to improve the country's planning system, it has been suggested.

A variety of proposed measures have been put forward by the Penfold Review, relating to issues such as planning red tape.

According to the review, non-planning consents, which include things like heritage consents and environment permits, could be simplified in a bid to help developers.

Meanwhile, the review would also like to see accurate information provided to businesses which are seeking to construct new properties.

Commenting on the findings, the coalition's business minister Mark Prisk stated that the report will now be looked at by the government.

He stated: "Businesses involved in construction and development should not have to deal with a regime made more complicated through needless red tape and procedure."

Meanwhile, ministers are also aiming to reduce business red tape through the launch of the new Reducing Regulation Committee.

Amy Richardson of Taylor Vinters commented: "Anything that seeks to speed up and/or simplify the planning system is something that I welcome. As we move towards a system of 'localism', an opportunity to provide local communities with greater transparency and developers with greater certainty should not be missed.

"For too long our planning system has been bogged down with unnecessary procedural constraints and has caused costly delays for developers. Whether these changes work in practice will remain to be seen, but I feel we may finally be moving in the right direction".

Please contact Michaela Henson, Head of Property for further information or call 01223 225178