What is the Planning Bill?

A new piece of law which is designed to speed up dramatically the development of major infrastructure projects in Britain, such as the building of nuclear power stations, windfarms and airport terminals. Currently it takes several years to get planning permission and Britain is suffering as a result because projects take too long and invariably cost millions of pounds more than planned.

What does it propose?

Rather than the current system, where each project is assessed on an individual basis, the Government plans to draw up a series of standard templates, called National Policies, that agree in advance, through consultation, the specifications and requirements for each type of project.

Why is it controversial?

Because the Government says that it is doing all of the legwork first, by devising the National Policies, it wants to hand offgive the final decision on each project to an Independent Planning Commission (IPC), which will be a panel of experts in their specific field. They will use the National Policies and apply them at the local level. If the project fits the government criteria, the IPC will then have the power to issue approval. without having to go back to ministers for the final sign off. It is envisaged that process could take as little as nine months.

What do opponents say?

Opponents object to the IPC and say that it should be an advisery body only. They believe the final rubber stamp must be awarded by Parliament.

What do those in favour say?

They say the IPC must be free to make the final decision. They fear that if it goes back to Parliament it will add months, or even years, on to the process and that defeats the whole purpose of the Planning Bill.

What happens next?

On Wednesday, MPs will vote on an amendment from some Conservative MPs and Labour backbenches that states the IPC should have an advisery role only. Even if the Government wins, and the amendment does not pass, the Bill could still face opposition in the House of Lords.

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