As part of the Coalition Government’s on-going attempts to relax the planning system and encourage economic growth and housebuilding more alterations to the planning system are being proposed.
The amendments will reduce the information required for outline planning applications, and are intended to make the planning system less onerous and more efficient for landholders and developers.
The changes remove the need to identify the approximate locations of buildings, routes and open spaces – this information can now be provided at a later date in a ‘reserved matter’ or detailed application.
Equally, the need to provide the upper and lower limit for the height, width and length of the buildings has also been removed.
This means that outline planning applications are moving back to what they used to be – which is to decide the acceptability of the use and amount of development at a site. Clearly this will make it easier for applicants who want to submit outline planning applications and should significantly reduce costs.
However, the changes will not apply to sensitive site such as proposals that may have an impact on heritage features or ecologically important locations.
The alterations come into effect on 31 January 2013.
If you require any information on the implications of these changes please contact Linda Wright at PLANiTWRiGHT.
Linda Wright MBA DipTP MRTPI
Town Planning Consultancy & Development Services
M: 07765 250150
E: linda@planitwright.co.uk
W: www.planitwright.co.uk