The Conservative Party could miss its chance to lead on development after opposing too many schemes while in opposition, property consultant King Sturge has warned.

Today, King Sturge revealed its predictions for 2010. It warned that the Conservatives could miss the chance to lead on development if they won the general election, which has to be held by June 2010.

The consultant said Conservative councillors have spent too much time opposing developments and that it will be difficult for them to go back on these promises because their local support is based on it.

It also said the Conservatives had not given any clarity over what they would use instead of Regional Spatial Strategies, which the party has said it would scrap if it came to power.

James Owens, planning partner at King Sturge, made other predictions on the planning system too. He warned that private developers were at risk of paying twice for local improvements, under the existing system of section 106 payments and the Community Infrastructure Levy, a flat rate that could be levied by councils.

Final regulations for CIL are due to be published in April.

But he was more positivity about renewing planning permissions. Owens said developers would make extensive use of new legislation that was introduced in October 2009.

If developers do not need to re-submit planning applications then this will reduce the burden on planners.

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