3rd July 2020

The most radical reforms to England’s planning system since the Second World War have been announced this week by the Government. Chartered Surveyors, Roger Parry & Partners, have warmly welcomed the government’s pledge to start a new approach to planning.

The Prime Minister announced the radical reforms just a week after the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, announced planning permission extensions last week to counteract the delays caused by the Coronavirus lockdown.

A Planning paper is due to be published next month setting out the radical reforms which are due to commence in September.

When making the announcement the Prime Minister asked, “Why are we so slow at building homes by comparison with other European countries?” He answered his own question, “Because time is money, and the newt-counting delays in our system are a massive drag on the productivity and the prosperity of this country and so we will build better and build greener but we will also build faster and that is why the Chancellor and I have set up Project Speed to scythe through red tape and get things done.”

Richard Corbett, Planning Expert and Partner with Roger Parry & Partners warmly welcomed the announcement. He said, “The positive messages relating to planning we are getting out of Westminster are very much welcomed and a refreshing attitude towards the difficulties we have faced for many years with delays to planning applications. If this ‘project speed’ materialises it will be a tremendous boost for our clients looking to gain planning permission.”  

The radical changes will include:

• Reform of the Use Classes Order with COU without an approval process in some cases
• COU/Conversion for a wider range of commercial buildings without planning permission
• Prior approval for household properties to be extended upwards
• Fast track route for the demolition and rebuilding of vacant buildings for new homes

To discuss your planning needs please contact Roger Parry & Partners. Oswestry – 01691 655334; Shrewsbury – 01743 791336; Welshpool – 01938 554499; Llanidloes – 01686 449922.