The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views on its proposals for planning decisions and applications.
In two consultations launched this week, MHCLG sets out its plans for the requirements for local planning authorities to consult the secretary of state when they plan to refuse applications, and proposals for establishing a new default fee schedule.
Consulting the secretary of state on planning decisions seeks views on two proposals for a requirement for local planning authorities (LPAs) to consult the secretary of state where they are ‘minded to refuse’ an application for planning permission. It also seeks view on a proposal for LPAs to consult the secretary of state where they are ‘minded to allow’ an application.
The consultation is set out in three sections: proposals to introduce a requirement to consult the secretary of state where LPAs are minded to refuse planning permission for specified commercial developments; on certain applications relating to nuclear facilities where LPAs are minded to refuse planning permission; and on certain applications for planning permission for residential development within a Defence Detailed Emergency Planning Zone.
The consultation is open until 4 May.
The Fees for planning applications consultation is open until 18 May and seeks views on proposals to establish a new national default fee schedule, based on 90% of estimated costs, to bring planning fees to a level closer to cost recovery and act as a baseline from which a new local fee setting model will operate.
It includes proposals to introduce new fees and restructure existing fee categories in order to reduce complexity for users; implement a surcharge on planning fees for statutory consultees, set in the region of 10% of the national default fee; establish the key principles behind local fee setting, as well as seek views on the potential to implement a cap on locally set fees and review the future role of discretionary services such as Planning Performance Agreements and pre-application advice.
