Leading planners have welcomed Lord Falconer’s call to shake-up the planning process, but have questioned whether simply enforcing the “eight week” target on planning decisions is appropriate.
Falconer, planning minister at DTLR, said that local authorities should make 80% of decisions within eight weeks, following the publication of the planning performance checklists.
“Planning delays cost money and perpetuate uncertainty. All users of the planning system, including business, have a right to expect decisions in a reasonable time,” he said.
On average, planning authorities make only 50% of business planning decisions by the eight week target.
But Huw Moseley, City planner for Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “Unfortunately, speed is not the only issue. Bad decisions early are no better than good decisions late. If the Corporation of London can manage both, why can’t others – Westminster for example? Perhaps they should consider improving salaries.”
Gary Halman, planning and development chair at RICS, agreed. “Planning departments need to be properly resourced with the right calibre of staff, able to deliver a timely and consistently high quality performance.”
EGi News 06/07/01
