Lords to give plans for appeals heard by members further consideration

The Government has acknowledged that there are a number issues to clarify over proposals to legislate that planning appeals for minor developments would be heard by a panel of local councillors rather than by a planning inspector.

Although the concept of local member review bodies (LMRBs) has been supported by LGA it has run up against major opposition from the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Planning minister Caroline Flint has made it clear in Parliament that the relevant clauses of the Planning Bill will get further debate.

She acknowledged in the Commons that the proposals “have created huge debate in local authorities and among those in the planning profession”.

Flint said some MPs had supported the initiative in principle but stressed the need to sort out how the new arrangements would work in practice.

The planning minister explained that there had been extensive discussions with local government and planning professions.

“I have also received several representations about what is workable. We need to consider whether, given the large number of planning reforms that we are asking local planning authorities to implement, it is also right to ask them to focus on the initiative,” she told the Lower House.

The Government may bring forward amendments on the LMRB proposals when the Bill is debated in the Lords.

Planning Portal

3 July 2008