Reforms 'make it easier' for business to build

05 March 2010

Written by Simon Whittaker

Commercial mortgage holders could see benefits from planning system reforms to be made by the government.

Planning minister John Healey announced today (March 5th) that the measures are hoped to drive economic recovery and save money for developers.

Businesses that want to build new developments and need to extend existing planning permissions to do so should find that their fees are lower.

Mr Healey said: "At a time when funding for new developments is difficult, I have changed the planning rules to give developers longer to build new projects that will help drive economic recovery."

Other measures should contribute towards making planning permissions more flexible and could save up to £69 million each year.

In October 2009, plans to achieve a similar aim were introduced by the government.

Previous fees for planning permission extension on a large project could have cost £250,000 but will now be as low as £500, it was announced.

As well as being responsible for housing, Mr Healey also looks at climate change and sustainable development and is in charge of the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

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