Planning boost for developers

Developers in the North West will be given more time to start building and further flexibility to adapt plans under a new package of measures announced by Housing Minister John Healey.

In the current economic climate there has been a drop in the number of planning permissions which are being taken up, so for a short time a simpler and cheaper way of extending the life of planning consent has been introduced.

Currently, permissions that are not used expire after three years. Meaning if developments can not begin because of economic conditions the schemes would have to be reapplied for when conditions improve.

Mr Healey also discussed important measures to simplify the system and make it easier to apply for planning permission in the first place. This includes giving local authorities the freedom to make changes to large developments and town centres by using Local Development Orders (LDOs).

The government will fund up to 12 local authorities to create LDOs, in the hope it will make it easier for developers and councils to find new uses for empty shops on the high street.

In his speech to the Royal Town and Planning Institute in London, Mr Healey said: “During the downturn, our first concern has been to act and invest to accelerate recovery. The Prime Minister has said that we’ll do whatever it takes to see people through these tough times, keep companies in business and people in their homes. So today I’m announcing the power for local authorities to extend the time limits for existing planning permissions. This will help to make sure that more homes, offices and factories get built at a time when investing in new developments is difficult and when access to funding is hard.

“We recognise development is difficult during the downturn, so we need to do what we can to cut out unnecessary bureaucracy and keep developments warm and keep plans on the table.

Mr Healey also announced changes for developers to build to greener standards, making homes cheaper to heat and run. 

He said: “While it is right that we have taken action now to help people and businesses struggling with the economic downturn, we need to also stay focused on the long term and step up action to tackle climate change. 

“In the UK we know that nearly half of our carbon emissions come from our buildings, 27 per cent come from our homes and a further 17 per cent from other non domestic buildings. So we must build our homes to a better, greener standard. We are leading the way globally, with our ambitions for zero carbon homes and buildings. 

“Today I have announced the next step towards zero carbon - a 25 per cent improvement on current standards for new homes or buildings from 2010. This consultation on changes to the Building Regulations means we are not only building to better standards, but making homes cheaper to heat and run for the families living in them. It could mean savings of up to £100 a year for an average home. 

“These measures demonstrate that we have listened to the needs of people, councils, industry and developers and are taking practical action that will make a real difference to communities across the country.”