Councils will compete to process planning applications, and would be able to offer fast track application services similar to that of applying for a passport under proposals out to consultation on 18 February 2016. Ministers are hoping that this will tackle the lack of incentive councils have for speeding up their planning service which leads to 'drawn out applications and local frustration' for both house builders and individual applicants. They also hope to increase local choice by giving applicants the choice of whether to submit their plans to the local council, a competing council or a government approved organisation that would process applications up until the decision point.
In the past councils have had a 'closed market' in the way they handle planning applications causing limited incentive in innovation and efficiency but studies in the past year suggest that there is cost savings of up to a fifth for competitively tendered or shared services.
Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: "Many councils are already working hard to improve the services they offer their residents, and across the country people’s satisfaction levels remain high. Now we want to go further by setting out these ambitious proposals to link any future increases in application fees to councils’ performance, and testing more competition including through offering dedicated fast track application services.”
Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: "Council planning departments play a vital role in getting local house building off the ground, but for too long they have had no incentive to get things done quickly or better, resulting in drawn out applications and local frustration.These proposals will be a boost for house builders looking to build much needed new homes for hard working families and first time buyers, and for local people looking to get a planning permission for home improvements through their local council quicker.”
