Consultation on an accelerated planning system in England

The CLA has responded to a Government consultation on the potential introduction of an Accelerated Planning Service for major commercial applications. Our response has been informed by discussions with members on both our Business and Rural Economy Committee and Policy Committee. Whilst we have sympathy for the principle of an accelerated service as current delays with the planning system severely impact the viability of projects, we do not feel able to support the proposal in its current form. The consultation also proposed changes to agreements for extensions of time and the planning appeal regime. The CLA broadly supported these proposals and also supported the proposed implementation of section 73B applications to vary existing planning permissions.