Kate Barker's independent review of UK land use planning, focusing on the link between planning and economic growth was published on 5 December.

The report's principal recommendation calling for the creation of an independent planning commission for major infrastructure projects was endorsed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Pre- Budget Report on 6 December.

The report also says that local authorities should be prepared to release green belt land for development where the alternative is to increase commuting which generates emissions and pollution.

And it makes a series of recommendations for speeding up planning decisions, including:

• reducing the amount of paperwork required;
• processing appeals faster;
• halving the number of cases called in by ministers for review.

The report also backs Government's 'town centre first' policy in relation to new commercial developments, with additional incentives to encourage the use of empty property and derelict land.

RICS has welcomed the report as a means to make the planning process quicker and more efficient.