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Government publishes Neighbouring Planning Bill

Planning 146x219The Government has published a Neighbourhood Planning Bill, with Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell claiming the legislation would support more housebuilding and provide more local say over developments.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said the Bill, which can be viewed here, would simplify how plans can be revised as local circumstances change and ensure that plans come into force sooner once approved by local people.

The Bill also contains measures relating to the compulsory purchase process intended to make it “clearer, fairer and faster”.

The DCLG said the existing process could be unnecessarily uncertain and complex. “Measures in the Bill will clarify the process which is currently based on a patchwork of statute and case law and make the system fairer for all parties.”

The Department added that the Bill would also see that planning conditions which require developers to take action before work starts are “only used where strictly necessary, but in a way that ensures important heritage and environmental safeguards remain in place, so that once a developer has planning permission they can get on and start building as soon as possible”.

Barwell said the Bill would be the first of a number of measures intended to deliver on the Government’s commitment to building of more homes.

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