Barker Review & the IoD

Business leaders admit productivity can be improved by getting to grips with the planning system. The Institute of Directors (IoD) has welcomed the publication of the Barker Review. Improvements to the planning system are a critical step to the UK’s future economic health.
IOD Director General Miles Templeman said:-
“Two principles need to dominate the reform of land use planning in the UK. Greater speed in the commercial planning system and a greater supply of land for commercial and residential developments.
“The Barker Review appears to get the balance right between the needs of a 21st century economy and the rights of those affected by new developments.”
Mr Templeman also said:
“Full implementation of the Barker Review could play a significant role in boosting UK productivity and competitiveness”.
The IoD gives backing to the following recommendations in the Barker Review:
• Radical overhaul of the planning system for major infrastructure projects, including transport, energy and waste.• Increasing the speed of the planning process.• Updating planning guidance to clarify the full economic benefits of development applications. • Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and the cost of the planning process.• Sharp reductions in the number of ministerial call-ins.• Ensuring a sufficient supply of land for development which is required outside urban areas.
The government has just published a number of initiatives offering to deliver a faster, more efficient planning system. The Government claims will provide an estimated savings of £124m to business.
Initiatives include a single, national planning application form for use across all local authorities. The Government claim this will save £59m.
£38m will be saved ‘through enabling and encouraging businesses to submit planning applications electronically’.
On top of that, £27m will be saved from a ‘more consistent criteria for planning applications’.
The proposals form part of a government action plan identifying more than 500 ways to reduce red tape that was unveiled by the Prime Minister this week.
It is estimated savings to business of more than £2bn in administrative costs will be made. The proposals across 19 departments and agencies have been identified as a result of comprehensive consultation. The aim is to cut 25% of administrative burdens by 2010.