Review calls for major cull to planning paperwork

Almost 40% of minor planning applications should be spiked from the system to save businesses and councils £300m a year, a report has recommended.

The Killian Pretty review calls for a major cull in planning bureaucracy to make the system work better and help deliver economic recovery.

It urges improvements to the pre-application phase to iron out problems from the outset and prevent delays down the line.

It also recommends axing a lot of paperwork required from applicants, a reduction in the number of conditions imposed on projects, improvements to administrative processing and clearer and faster planning obligation agreements.

The review of planning regulations was ordered in March by Communities and Business secretaries and was conducted by Essex County Council chief Joanna Killian and former Barratt Developments boss David Pretty.

Pretty said: “Quite simply, the planning application process is too slow and bogged down in unnecessary red tape, to the extent that it acts as a brake on key elements of the economy.

“It is crucial, particularly given today’s economic climate, that we tackle this problem.

“In a system dominated by minor developments, even the simple decisions now take far too long. This is massively frustrating for both applicants and council planners with excessive workloads.”

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said the recommendations were a “recipe for common sense that must be acted upon”.

HBF planning director Andrew Whitaker said streamlining planning could deliver economic benefits to the housing industry during a time of crisis.

“Although appearing to be simple, the 17 detailed recommendations…will require significant changes, both in process and culture within the planning system, but if implemented in totality would have a considerable impact,” he said.

The government said it supported the broad findings of the report and would publish an implementation plan to cut planning bureaucracy early next year.

Housing and planning minister Margaret Beckett said: “I am determined that we do everything we can to tackle today’s economic challenges head on. It is vital that when the economy begins to recover that people find a re-invigorated and leaner planning system.

“Where we can, we will act immediately to develop and take forward the Killian Pretty recommendations as a matter of urgency so we can deliver savings to the UK economy quickly.”