Intelligence/
Current TopicsReview of "Call-In" Directions: Consultation
The consultation paper fulfils the commitment given in the Planning White Paper published on 21 May 2007 to consult on measures intended to reduce Secretary of State involvement in casework.
At present of the 650,000 planning applications submitted annually in England less than 0.01 per cent is called in for decision by the Secretary of State.
Now ministers want to reduce the number of planning applications automatically referred to Government for consideration of whether they should be 'called in' for ministerial decision, ensuring that the thresholds for notifications are set at the appropriate level and by consolidating all remaining directions into a single direction.
Among the directions highlighted for potential elimination are those where a retail scheme of gross shopping floor space of 20,000 square metres is concerned and the one relating to residential schemes of more than 150 houses and flats.
The Government has stated that the proposed changes can be achieved without amending either primary or secondary legislation, as they take the form of directions contained within Departmental Circulars.
At present of the 650,000 planning applications submitted annually in England less than 0.01 per cent is called in for decision by the Secretary of State.
Now ministers want to reduce the number of planning applications automatically referred to Government for consideration of whether they should be 'called in' for ministerial decision, ensuring that the thresholds for notifications are set at the appropriate level and by consolidating all remaining directions into a single direction.
Among the directions highlighted for potential elimination are those where a retail scheme of gross shopping floor space of 20,000 square metres is concerned and the one relating to residential schemes of more than 150 houses and flats.
The Government has stated that the proposed changes can be achieved without amending either primary or secondary legislation, as they take the form of directions contained within Departmental Circulars.