The government plans to ease the planning system in growth areas through promoting the use of Local Development Orders by local authorities.

As part of the Emergency Budget, which was published today, the Treasury has announced plans to publish a white paper later this summer that will encourage a “simplified planning consents process in specific areas where there is potential or need for business growth.”

It said his would be done through encouraging councils to use local development orders, which prevent the need for planning consents for certain forms of development in a specific area.

The Labour government has been trialling the system, which was introduced via the Planning and Compulsary Purchase Act in 2004, through seven pilot projects across the UK.

According to planners, many of the pitfalls they predicted with the system have not materialised, making Local Development Orders (LDOs) largely successful.

David Hackforth, head of planning at Milton Keynes Council, said: “The powers already exist but the take-up has been fairly limited. The enterprise zones of the 1980s were similar, but there were financial incentives attached and they were an example of a top down approach. The LDO is very much a local initiative – if councils think there is merit in an LDO it could be a useful tool in the box.”

“We welcome it as another weapon in the armoury to achieve economic regeneration,” said a spokesman for the Planning Officers’ Society. “There has been a trial underway that has been fairly well reported.”

To see tips for implementing Local Development Orders, in your area, click here

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