Planning Applications: A faster and more responsive system
RICS welcomes the recommendations of the report.
Given the current state of the economy and particularly the construction and housing markets, we believe that these recommendations should be implemented as soon as possible.
In order to stimulate the economy, the government should fast track primary legislation where necessary.
Decisive action rather than more reports, reviews or consultation papers is the way out of this situation.
If implemented in their current form, the proposals of the Killian Pretty team should further cut red tape and free up a heavily congested planning process.
As most planning departments are still under resourced, particular attention should be paid to the recommendations on resourcing.
The importance of addressing the skills shortage across planning departments and having enough professionally trained staff cannot be understated.
The fundamental point RICS has been promoting - that of a more proportionate planning system – is recognised in this report.
RICS strongly supports right amount of information being required to match the nature and scale of development proposed.
RICS recognises the complexity of the existing planning system. Efforts to untangle it as outlined in the Killian Pretty review must be supported.
RICS in particular welcomes recommendations outlining
- proposals for a better pre-application process
- avoiding the need for new applications for small changes to applications
- replacing time targets for applications with customer satisfaction targets
- abandoning attempts to define local information lists nationally
- use of alternative dispute resolution methods
- the need for clear guidance outlining the interplay between section 106 with the new Community Infrastructure Levy.
Read RICS' submission to the Review.
