Developers could pay a fee to fast-track housing plans

PLANNING applications could be ‘fast-tracked’ for a premium fee under controversial new proposals set out by the Government.

There is also a suggestion that applications could be outsourced to neighbouring councils or even private organisations for processing before going for approval.

Ministers say the proposals, which go out for consultation today, would end the frustration caused by drawn-out applications but critics say they could favour large developers at the expense of individual homeowners.

Property agent Henry Pryor said: ‘Rich developers will pay to fasttrack their applications, but when it comes to planning, people should all be equal under the law.’

He added that the proposals could lead to a system where developers can ‘open cheque books’ to fast-track a decision and was also critical of plans to link the fees that local authorities get for processing applications to the speed at which they complete them.

There would be ‘questions’ from objectors to applications if it seemed ‘commercial pressures’ had influenced decisions, said Mr Pryor.

Matt Thomson, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said the Government should be focusing on communities frustrated by ‘excessive housing targets’ instead.

‘There is no evidence that a faster and cheaper process means better planning decisions,’ he said. ‘We should be aiming for a planning system that reaches the right decision for local people – not one that arrives at a quicker decision that could trample over their needs.’

The Federation of Master Builders supported the proposals, with chief executive Brian Berry saying that smaller house builders were being frustrated by a ‘painfully slow planning process’.

He said: ‘Anything which incentivises councils to deal with applications with greater urgency must be welcome.’

The proposals are expected to extend rights for free schools to develop their land. Councils could also be named and shamed for being poor performers when it came to handling planning applications.

The Government said it was hoped that the overhaul would boost building in an attempt to help solve the housing crisis.

Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said the proposals link any future increases in application fees to councils’ performance. If the plans are approved following the consultation period, which ends in April, a handful of councils could be chosen to pilot the schemes before they are rolled out nationwide.

‘Painfully slow

process’