Planning to be made easier in 2007

The Government has announced the timetable for the rollout of a standard planning application form for use across all English Local Planning Authorities – a move which is welcomed by commercial property specialist Underwoods.

From October 2007, the National Standard Planning Application Form (1APP) will become the only official method of submitting a planning application for most types of consent.

Paul Tudor, Senior Partner at Underwoods, says: “The introduction of the 1APP form is fundamental to the Department of Communities and Local Government’s commitment to making the planning system simpler, faster and easier to use. And as well as speeding up the planning process, the new form will also enable planning services to be provided on-line and give applicants certainty about the information they need to provide.”

At present each Local Planning Authority (LPA) produces its own planning application forms which differ in style, content and the information which is required. This inconsistency can lead to confusion for planning and property professionals and citizens alike.

The phased implementation of the standard forms between now and September 2007 will help to ensure that the migration to 1APP is achieved smoothly, while a secure test platform will allow LPAs to:

Trial the new application service
Identify how the new form differs from current on-line and paper-based forms; and
Clarify the business processes required to implement the change.

To help LPAs promote the new service to local planning agents, the Planning Portal will be introducing the new Standard Planning Application Form at regional workshops across the country. In addition, copies of the migration toolkit for the Standard Planning Application Project will be distributed to LPAs across England shortly. The notes provide authorities with a clear plan to facilitate the step change from the current Planning Portal application service to 1APP.