Legislation to speed up the planning system will be introduced at Parliament’s next session, it was confirmed in this morning’s Queen’s Speech.
Despite fears that the Planning Bill would not be included in the speech, the government has said that a bill laying down proposed changes to planning will be introduced “fairly early on”.
In her speech at the state opening of Parliament this morning, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II said: “My government will introduce legislation to speed up the planning system while improving the involvement of local communities.”
The Bill will include controversial proposals to scrap county structure plans and replace local plans with Local Development Frameworks.
It will also include mechanisms to streamline compulsory purchase orders, set up business planning zones and establish a statutory purpose for planning.
However, much of the detail for how this will work will not be contained in the Bill. Instead the legislation will be in skeleton form, with flesh added to the bone in the form of subsequent regulations and statutory instruments.
Other Bills which will be introduced include a draft Homes Bill, the Local Government Bill, a Bill to prepare for regional government and legislation to allow for 24-hour bars.
EGi News 13/11/02
