Tweet
5 December 2010
Last updated at 03:16 ET
Local people are to be given more say over developments in their areas, ministers have pledged.
The changes - designed to cut red tape - mean some planning responsibilities will pass from councils to official local groups.
The Localism Bill could mean homeowners could build extensions, add a storey or conservatory or build driveways without planning permission.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is due to publish the bill in coming days.
Incentives Under the plans, people would also be given the power to approve or reject proposals for new housing developments, schools and other public buildings in their areas.
Incentives will be given to communities which agree to new homes being built.
Groups of householders will be allowed to apply to be recognised as "neighbourhoods", covering a group of streets or larger areas.
There would be a presumption that local authorities will approve the status.
Neighbourhoods could then prepare "neighbourhood plans" which would be put to referendums.
If approved, their plans would then have to be accepted by the council.
Mayoral plan The groups would also be allowed to draw up categories of development which could be carried out without planning permission - such as extensions or loft conversions.
Communities minister Greg Clark told the Sunday Telegraph: "We want to move away from a system with significant elements of imposition from above, to one with participation and involvement at its heart - not just warm words, or a commitment in principle, but real opportunities for people to have a say.
"We also want to move away from a system that seeks to resolve the different needs of different groups at a local level by imposing choices from above, towards one which enables a mature debate at local level."
The paper also reported that the bill would pave the way for elected mayors in 12 cities: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software
The changes - designed to cut red tape - mean some planning responsibilities will pass from councils to official local groups.
The Localism Bill could mean homeowners could build extensions, add a storey or conservatory or build driveways without planning permission.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles is due to publish the bill in coming days.
Incentives Under the plans, people would also be given the power to approve or reject proposals for new housing developments, schools and other public buildings in their areas.
Incentives will be given to communities which agree to new homes being built.
Groups of householders will be allowed to apply to be recognised as "neighbourhoods", covering a group of streets or larger areas.
There would be a presumption that local authorities will approve the status.
Neighbourhoods could then prepare "neighbourhood plans" which would be put to referendums.
If approved, their plans would then have to be accepted by the council.
Mayoral plan The groups would also be allowed to draw up categories of development which could be carried out without planning permission - such as extensions or loft conversions.
Communities minister Greg Clark told the Sunday Telegraph: "We want to move away from a system with significant elements of imposition from above, to one with participation and involvement at its heart - not just warm words, or a commitment in principle, but real opportunities for people to have a say.
"We also want to move away from a system that seeks to resolve the different needs of different groups at a local level by imposing choices from above, towards one which enables a mature debate at local level."
The paper also reported that the bill would pave the way for elected mayors in 12 cities: Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
Powered by WizardRSS | Best Membership Site Software