A new review, and
a call for evidence, to identify and address barriers to
investment created by consents for development, other than
planning permission, was announced today by Business Minister, Ian Lucas.
The independent review, which will look at consents for
development made alongside or after planning permission for all
sizes of projects, will be headed up by Adrian Penfold, and is
part of the Government’s wider programme to improve the planning
system and development process. It will contribute to the
Government’s work to create the best conditions for businesses to
start up, invest and grow and could save businesses valuable time
and money. It is intended that it will report as part of the
Budget in 2010, making recommendations on areas such as improving
co-operation between agencies, removing bottlenecks in the process
and improving the experience for the investor.
The call for evidence is aimed at all those with an interest in
improving the operation of consents. It offers the opportunity for
all with an interest in this area to air their views. The
responses will provide evidence to enable the review team to gain
a full and representative understanding of the consents
environment, highlight key issues and to develop its overall analysis.
Ian Lucas said:
“Removing barriers to investment in development projects of all
sizes makes sense. Not only do these projects bring value in
themselves but they help to stimulate greater business investment
and provide a welcome boost to growth.
“Making the planning and consents system as simple as possible,
minimising paperwork and costs for businesses, is part of the
essential work to make the UK the best place to do business,
creating the right conditions for businesses to start up, invest
and grow. This review will play a key role in helping to deliver
an effective and efficient planning and consents system.”
Adrian Penfold said:
“I am very pleased to have been invited to lead the review. I
want to use this opportunity to make a real difference on the
ground. A consents regime that is simple, equitable and
transparent will enable early decisions on investment, so
facilitating growth as the economy comes out of recession. I urge
all interested parties to respond to the call for evidence and to
make their views heard.”
Consent for developments that need to be obtained alongside or
after planning permission, for example for bridges and tunnels,
pipelines, roads and new energy plant construction, are an
essential component in encouraging and facilitating new
investment. Making the system as effective as possible remains a
key Government priority that underpins its strategy to promote
sustainable economic growth.
Significant progress has been made in recent years to modernise
and simplify the planning system including the Barker review of
land use planning in 2006, the planning White Paper in 2007 and
the subsequent 2008 Planning Act. The recent Killian-Pretty review
added to these reforms by making a range of recommendations for
simplifying the planning regime. The focus of much of this work
was on the planning application process and not on the wider
non-planning consents landscape. The Penfold Review will be the
first major examination of this area.
Notes to Editors
1. More information on the review and how to respond to the call
for evidence can be found at www.bis.gov.uk/penfold
2. The review team will be supported by the Better Regulation
Executive, part of the Department for Business, working closely
with the Department for Communities and Local Government.
3. Adrian Penfold is Head of Planning and Environment at British
Land. He has in the past worked in local government and for the
London Docklands Development Corporation where he had
responsibility for Canary Wharf and the surrounding sites and
related major infrastructure projects. From 1990 to 1996 he was
Head of Planning and Design at Dartford Borough Council. Major
projects include the Bluewater regional shopping centre and the
Ebbsfleet Channel Tunnel Rail Link station. At British Land he has
dealt with a number of major mixed use development projects in
central London. He has also managed large scale, mixed use,
office, residential and retail planning projects elsewhere in the
UK. He has wide experience of working with Government officials on
planning policy matters, including the Mayor of London’s planning
powers. He was a member of the Barker Review of Land Use
Planning’s Panel of Experts, and is now a member of the DCLG
Planning Sounding Board.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk