"Planning rules should be simpler" says study

Planning regulations for new homes should be relaxed, according to a report commissioned by the treasury.

The Barker Review also said councils should allow more building in the green belt areas they control.

The report claimed current planning rules were too complex and councils were no longer able to deal with the process.

It recommends the planning system in England should be made quicker and less complicated, while the appeals process should be sped up. Major projects would be handled by a national planning system, under the Barker Review plans.

The report’s key author, economist Kate Barker, points out that just under 13.5% of England is actually developed. The green belt surrounding urban areas covers 13% of the country.

"The land that can be developed with the least likely environmental or wider social impact is low-value agricultural land with little landscape quality and limited public access," says the report.

"Regional and local planning bodies should review their green belt boundaries to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate."

The review calls for the planning system to return to the presumption in favour. This means that an application will be approved unless there is a strong reason against it.

It also states that applications for simple home extensions should be given fast-track approval if there is no opposition from neighbours.

The government has committed to a new White Paper on planning in March that is expected to incorporate some of the Barker Review's recommendations.

Kate Barker is a member of the Bank of England's interest rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee.

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