Fast track planning urgently needed, says FMB

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “It’s very welcome news that the Government has listened to the concerns of industry over the sclerotic planning system. Across the country, SME house builders continue to be frustrated by a painfully slow planning process that is holding back the delivery of new homes. The numerous sources of delays and inefficiencies in the system impact upon house building rates, and act as a major deterrent to small developers who need to see speedy returns on their investments. Anything which encourages innovation and incentivises councils to deal with applications with greater urgency must be welcome.”

Berry continued: “Developers of all sizes have consistently said that they would be willing to pay higher planning application fees, provided the extra resources were ring-fenced to deliver a better quality service. The proposals announced today by the Government provide an avenue to house builders to access speedier planning that will allow them to get on with what they do best – building homes.”

Berry concluded: “Nevertheless, in order to ensure that the broader planning system is working as it should, it’s essential that it’s properly resourced. Local authorities need to be able to invest in their planning departments to put in place, and renew, their local plans. Fees, whether fast track or standard, need to be weighted to ensure that overall the system will be adequately resourced. The system as it stands is creaking – this new approach must be made to work and it cannot come soon enough.”