DCLG to pilot introduction of competition into processing of planning applications

Applicants for planning permission could be given the choice of whether to submit their plans to the local council, a competing council or a government approved organisation, ministers have said.

The Department for Communities and Local Government claimed the move, which would be brought in through the Housing and Planning Bill and is subject to consultation, would tackle a lack of incentive for councils to improve and speed up their planning service.

It suggested that councils would be able to offer a fast track planning application service – “either through competition pilots or potentially through devolution deals”.

The DCLG stressed that decision making on planning applications would remain with the local council “to ensure decisions are taken locally and maintain the democratic link between local people and decision makers”.

The consultation, which can be viewed here, also covers:

• Proposals to make future increases in councils’ fees for processing planning applications dependent on their performance in terms of speed and quality of decisions;
• Details of how the new planning ‘permission in principle’ approach will work in practice;
• How councils will run brownfield land and small sites registers;
• Speeding up the neighbourhood planning process;
• Improving handling of planning applications with new thresholds for designating councils as poor performers;
• Extending permitted development rights for free schools.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Council planning departments play a vital role in getting local housebuilding off the ground, but for too long they have had no incentive to get things done quickly or better, resulting in drawn out applications and local frustration.

“These proposals will be a boost for housebuilders looking to build much needed new homes for hard working families and first time buyers, and for local people looking to get a planning permission for home improvements through their local council quicker.”

Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Many councils are already working hard to improve the services they offer their residents, and across the country people’s satisfaction levels remain high.

“Now we want to go further by setting out these ambitious proposals to link any future increases in application fees to councils’ performance, and testing more competition including through offering dedicated fast track application services.”

A separate consultation meanwhile seeks views on more housebuilding in London through allowing taller buildings, subject to conditions.