Ministers to cut planning red tape

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 26-07-2011

Plans to cut through reams of red tape in the planning system have been launched by the Government.

A new national planning policy document has been proposed condensing around 1,000 pages into just 52, but the Government says it remains committed to protecting the green belt and areas of natural or scientific beauty.

It also wants charging points for electric vehicles to be installed on more roads and car parks across the UK to boost renewable energy and green transport.

Planning minister Greg Clarke said that there is too much bureaucracy in the current system and the size of the current guidance deters ordinary people from reading it.

He said: "We need a simpler, swifter system that is easier to understand and where you don't need to pay for a lawyer to navigate your way around. That's why we promised reform to make planning easier to understand and easier to use for everyone."