Revisions To Planning System Published

A new set of revisions to England’s planning policy framework is to be published today.

Ministers say the changes to the planning system will mean local people are more involved in the process, would simplify a complex system and help boost growth.

The new revisions have come after a row with conservation groups over last year's draft plans.

Critics however have argued that a "presumption in favour of sustainable development" amounted to a "developer's charter".

The government has been criticised for being too vague about what amounts to "sustainable development" and for saying in the draft plans that the "default answer to development proposals" should be "yes" - unless it compromised "key sustainable development principles".

Asked to explain what amounted to sustainable development, planning minister Greg Clark told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What it means is there is a test as to whether, in effect, it would be in the public interest to approve an application.

"If there are reasons, for example if it destroys the environment, if it builds on the green belt, if it builds outside a town centre if it's a commercial premises when you want to keep town centres thriving, then that would not be sustainable, it would not be in the public interest and so it should not go ahead."

He explained that the hope was to simplify a complex system; which people had felt imposed targets on them, rather than involving them from the beginning.

Revision of the original draft proposals reduced the 1,300-page document to a final booklet of just 50.

(H)