Tony McNulty

Targets for the Planning Inspectorate to deal with appeals, enforcements, call ins and development plans have been announced by planning minister Tony McNulty.

By March 2004, 80 per cent of the Planning Inspectorate's reports to the secretary of state on called-in and recovered appeal cases must be delivered within seven weeks of the close of an inquiry, in line with the Office's PSA six target.

Forum Response: Construction Products Association

Michael Ankers, chief executive of the Construction Products Association, told ePolitix.com: "Any proposals to speed up the time it takes to reach decisions on planning applications has to be welcomed.

"However, whilst it is fine for there to be demanding targets for the Planning Inspectorate to report to the secretary of state on called-in and recovered appeal cases, the real problem lies in the time it then takes for the secretary of state to reach a decision.

"These are often major infrastructure projects key to the development of the economy and improving the competitiveness of industry. We hope therefore that ministers will be brave enough to set themselves targets for reaching a final decision in such cases."

Forum Response: British Property Federation

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, told ePolitix.com: "The British Property Federation fully supports the setting of challenging targets for the Planning Inspectorate. Its members believe that on the whole the Inspectorate is one element of the planning system that works reasonably effectively.

"It is nevertheless entirely appropriate that it should be held to account for the efficiency of the service it provides, as indeed should the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for its performance in handling those cases requiring a decision by the secretary of state.

"The BPF is, however, concerned that some aspects of the Planning Bill, particularly the proposal to do away with 'twin-tracking' could lead to a substantial and unnecessary increase in the workload of the Planning Inspectorate which might in turn impinge on its ability to deliver its core service efficiently and in accordance with its targets. It urges the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to take these possible effects into account in its re-examination of the Bill before re-submission to the standing committee.

"The Planning Inspectorate is, of course, only one small, albeit very significant, part of the planning system and the BPF would urge the government not to take its eye off some of the more pressing issues that need attention in order to achieve improvement, particularly the lack of adequate planning resource in local planning departments, the lack of standing of the planning function and the impact this has on attracting qualified people of the highest calibre, the uncertainties surrounding the question of s.106 agreements and the impact of excessive demands in achieving closure on highly desirable regeneration projects."