Big changes to the way the planning system deals with major planning applications are being made by government.

From October, the way the planning system deals with major projects like airports, ports, roads and railways, power stations, power lines, oil and gas pipelines and even water and hazardous waste, will begin to change.

A useful explanation of the new regime can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_179095

Under the new system the government will publish a set of National Policy Statements. These statements will outline how major projects - like those listed above - will be developed across the whole country. They will not cover housing, shopping or industrial developments.

The government says it is making the system faster, fairer and easier for people to get involved.

Planning Aid has a key role in the new process.

The free planning advice service will be offering independent advice to individuals and groups - who cannot afford professional fees - on how they can have their say in the new process.

Importantly, Planning Aid is independent of the new system.

Working with the government - which has allocated Planning Aid funding for this purpose - the service will be:

• Explaining how the new system will work. 
• Offering the public independent advice during consultations on National Policy Statements. 
• Offering training to groups and individuals. 
• Facilitating public meetings (subject to staff availability and the eligibility of the person or group making the request). 
• Helping direct members of the public to relevant sources of information.

The first National Policy Statement is expected to be published this autumn.

The public will have 12 weeks to tell the government what they think about each Statement. Planning Aid can help explain how they might affect you and your area.

Further down the line there will be two other opportunities for the public to have its say.

A new body called the Infrastructure Planning Commission has been set up to decide whether specific major projects can go ahead. It will base its decisions on the policies outlined in National Policy Statements.

The public will also be able to have its say:

• before development applications are made to the Infrastructure Planning Commission – any promoter or applicant proposing a new infrastructure project should consult with local people about what they plan to do.
• during the IPC’s assessment of applications for infrastructure projects.

Planning Aid expects a substantial number of inquiries and requests for help in understanding the new system. We will do our best to help with them.

To contact Planning Aid please telephone 0121 214 2915 or email enquiries@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

For further information, go to:

DirectGov, the government’s information website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_179095.

The Department for Communities and Local Government website: www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/planningpolicyimplementation/reformplanningsystem/planningbill

The Department for Transport website: www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/planningreform.

Author:

Ben Lee

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

21-Aug-09

Categories:

Planning Aid 

Sections:

The RTPI

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