Changes to Town Planning Decision Process

From the 31st October, the new National Scheme of Delegation fundamentally changes the way that councils make decisions on planning applications. Professional officers will now have more authority to issue planning permissions and refusals. Elected councillors will only determine applications at committee where:

• A development raises one or more significant economic, social or environmental issues.
• Significant planning matters are raised, having regard to the Development Plan.

Whilst the intention of the Government initiative has been to speed up the application process and reduce delays, the change has been criticised in some quarters as being un-democratic in placing too much responsibility into the hands of town planning officials.

Goadsby Planning Director Peter Atfield comments: “Nationally, four councils have refused to undertake the necessary constitutional amendments to allow for the changes. This has resulted in a halt to planning committee meetings entirely. This cannot be right as it avoids any decisions at all on major applications for economic growth, which is the exact opposite of what the Government intended.”

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