§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is proposing to accelerate the processing of planning applications. [67879]
§ Mr. RaynsfordLocal planning authorities handle some half a million planning applications every year. It is essential that these are processed efficiently and effectively.
In his Modernising Planning Statement, published on 15 January 1998, my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning, set out a range of measures designed to make the planning system operate more efficiently and effectively. This included initiatives to improve the handling of planning applications.
In April 1998, the Government published good practice guides on development briefs and the one stop shop approach to development-related approvals. Other initiatives include funding of a good practice guide on ?Best Value? in planning being drawn up by the Planning Officers' Society; a review of consultation procedures for planning applications; and a review of procedures for handling listed building consent applications.
The Government are continuing to monitor closely local authorities? performance in reaching decisions on planning applications and publishes regular Planning Performance Checklists. My hon. Friend is currently holding a series of meetings with a selection of local authorities in each English region to discuss handling of planning applications as well as development plan preparation. These meetings are part of our wider commitment to work in partnership with local government to improve the planning system as part of the Modernising Planning initiative and provide an opportunity to share good practice experience.