Housing Ministers Speech to RTPI Conference
The new Minister for Housing, John Healey, has outlined a package of new measures to give developers more time to start building and further flexibility to adapt plans in an address to the Planning Convention in London on 18 June.
There has been a sharp fall in the number of planning permissions which are being implemented because of the tough economic times, so for a temporary period a simpler and cheaper way of extending the life of a planning consent is being introduced. The Government have recognised that the current three year life span of a planning permission is unrealistic and the consequence of these planning permissions expiring could delay economic recovery as planning permissions will have to be reapplied for when conditions pick up.
Mr Healey announced that local authorities will now have the power to extend the time limits for planning permissions in order to ensure that more homes, offices and factories get built. The changes are also intended to make it easier to apply for planning permission and give developers the scope to make minor alterations without having to apply for a whole new planning permission therefore saving time and money.
View the full Parliamentary Statement
Steve Forman, Planning Director at CgMs said
"This measure will be welcomed by property developers, investors and occupiers as another option to revisit extant permissions which cannot be implemented until the economy starts to grow again and making these schemes viable once more. This initiative is also complementary to the proposed changes to the planning system being introduced by the Killian Pretty review during the year so as to help stimulate economic recovery."
For further information please contact Steve Forman on 020 7832 1471
