Planning applications for certain minor developments will be scrapped under reforms introduced by planning minister John Healey today.

Healey has agreed to recommendations in the Killian Pretty Review of 2008, which said minor changes to industrial buildings, offices, shops and schools should not need planning permission.

The government claims this will remove around 10,000 applications from the planning system and could save developers £43m a year.

The reforms, which were consulted on last year, contain some caveats but will, for example, let shopkeepers extend floor space up to 538 sq ft needing to apply for planning permission.

John Healey said: “Taking simpler applications out of the planning system will help councils process major applications faster, and save businesses up to £43million a year. This will give businesses a much needed helping hand during the economic recovery.”

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