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UK planning system wastes time, says CBI
00:00 25 Jul 2001
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by Ross Pearman
The UK planning system hits industry and commercial productivity and wastes too much time, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The CBI has launched its own 40-point document, Planning for Productivity, outlining its proposals for improving the current system.
"Too often the system is acting as a brake on productivity," said CBI deputy director general John Cridland. "More than half of all commercial applications take longer than eight weeks to be decided and for major decisions that figure is three quarters."
The CBI's document coincides with the launch last Friday (20 July) of the government's proposals to streamline the planning process, while safeguarding public consultation and involvement.
The CBI claims that too much time is wasted in planning disputes and that in 2000/01, 30% of all commercial planning applications refused by local authorities were overturned on appeal.
Major projects that have been stung by these setbacks include: the £2bn Terminal 5 project at Heathrow Airport; Manchester Airport's second runway; and the East London River Crossing.
The CBI proposals cover:
l The inclusion of separate targets for dealing with household and commercial planning applications, a move which would see the commercial sector, which makes up 30% of all applications, given more time and consideration.
l The entire exemption of minor applications, which would see current rules on 'permitted development' and 'deemed consent' allowing minor changes without planning permission, to be extended to reduce the load in the decision making process.
l The inclusion of a deadline for the completion of all local developments with strict penalties to reduce the 17% of plans which have been decided, but which are out of date.
l Better quality planners, a move in agreement with the government's drive to give inspectors more powers and tighter timetables, with the right skills and more commercial awareness.
l The CBI also proposes that more government funds should be made available to recruit the best people for the job. The addition of stronger national guidelines on planning obligations, which would see the private sector no longer responsible for contributing to the costs of activities beyond those directly associated with the development is also recommended.
The government's proposals, which included greater public involvement at an earlier stage and the right for the secretary of state to rush through a project of "national importance", were generally welcomed by the industry.
However, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors described them as a "little thin on the ground".
The UK planning system hits industry and commercial productivity and wastes too much time, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The CBI has launched its own 40-point document, Planning for Productivity, outlining its proposals for improving the current system.
"Too often the system is acting as a brake on productivity," said CBI deputy director general John Cridland. "More than half of all commercial applications take longer than eight weeks to be decided and for major decisions that figure is three quarters."
The CBI's document coincides with the launch last Friday (20 July) of the government's proposals to streamline the planning process, while safeguarding public consultation and involvement.
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The CBI claims that too much time is wasted in planning disputes and that in 2000/01, 30% of all commercial planning applications refused by local authorities were overturned on appeal.
Major projects that have been stung by these setbacks include: the £2bn Terminal 5 project at Heathrow Airport; Manchester Airport's second runway; and the East London River Crossing.
The CBI proposals cover:
l The inclusion of separate targets for dealing with household and commercial planning applications, a move which would see the commercial sector, which makes up 30% of all applications, given more time and consideration.
l The entire exemption of minor applications, which would see current rules on 'permitted development' and 'deemed consent' allowing minor changes without planning permission, to be extended to reduce the load in the decision making process.
l The inclusion of a deadline for the completion of all local developments with strict penalties to reduce the 17% of plans which have been decided, but which are out of date.
l Better quality planners, a move in agreement with the government's drive to give inspectors more powers and tighter timetables, with the right skills and more commercial awareness.
l The CBI also proposes that more government funds should be made available to recruit the best people for the job. The addition of stronger national guidelines on planning obligations, which would see the private sector no longer responsible for contributing to the costs of activities beyond those directly associated with the development is also recommended.
The government's proposals, which included greater public involvement at an earlier stage and the right for the secretary of state to rush through a project of "national importance", were generally welcomed by the industry.
However, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors described them as a "little thin on the ground".
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