The Queen's speech 2002 announced that legislation would be introduced to speed up the planning system, while improving involvement in community participation in planning through better consultation. Following the planning green paper, published in December 2001, John Prescott made a statement to the House of Commons earlier this year, further outlining the government's plans for a step change in policies for building successful, thriving communities. The bill was reintroduced in 2003-04 session.

Many of these policies will be implemented through the Planning Bill, which will seek to simplify planning development to three tiers (national, regional and local), whilst speeding up the handling of major infrastructure projects by central government. It also aims to make the compulsory purchase system "faster and fairer" and will introduce Business Planning Zones to help regenerate areas of high unemployment.

A spokesperson from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said, "The fundamental objective is to make the planning system fairer, faster and more predictable. We want to bring clarity, certainty, and a sense of strategic direction to planning."

"Our proposals will open up the planning system, reduce bureaucracy and increase community participation right from the start of the process."

"Without an effective planning system we risk constraining the economy, at a cost to everyone in the UK".

Key points:

• Remove one of the layers of bureaucracy - structure plans - simplifying the planning development system to three tiers - national, regional and local;

• Make strategic planning more relevant by requiring up to date Local Development Frameworks to replace Unitary Development Plans;

• Speed the handling of Major Infrastructure Projects by central government;

• Introduce a statutory purpose for planning to promote sustainable development;

• Introduce Business Planning Zones to aid regeneration by fast tracking developments in areas where jobs are needed most;

• Make the compulsory purchase system faster and fairer.

The Bill was carried over into the 2003/04 session.

House of Commons

First reading: December 4 2002 (HC Bill 12)

Second reading: December 17 2002

Committee stage (SC G)

• 1st sitting: January 9 2003 (am)
• 2nd sitting: January 9 2003 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: January 14 2003 (am)
• 4th sitting: January 14 2003 (pm)
• 5th sitting: January 16 2003 (am)
• 6th sitting: January 16 2003 (pm)
• 7th sitting: January 21 2003 (am)
• 8th sitting: January 21 2003 (pm)
• 9th sitting: January 23 2003 (am)
• 10th sitting: January 23 2003 (pm)
• 11th sitting: January 28 2003 (am)
• 12th sitting: January 28 2003 (pm)
• The Bill as amended in committee (HC Bill 47)

Committee stage (on re-committal)

• 1st sitting: October 14 2003 (am)
• 2nd sitting: October 14 2003 (pm)
• 3rd sitting: October 16 2003 (am)
• 4th sitting: October 16 2003 (pm)
• 5th sitting: October 21 2003 (am)
• 6th sitting: October 21 2003 (pm)
• 7th sitting: October 23 2003 (am)
• 8th sitting: October 23 2003 (pm)

House of Commons

Re-introduction: December 1 2003 (HC Bill 6)

Remaining stages

• Day 1: December 8 2003
• Day 2: December 9 2003

House of Lords

First reading: December 10 2003 (HL Bill 10)

Second reading: January 6 2004

Committee stage

• 1st day: January 20 2004
• 2nd day: January 22 2004
• 3rd day: January 27 2004
• 4th day: January 29 2004
• 5th day: February 2 2004
• 6th day: February 5 2004

Bill reprinted as amended (HC Bill 26)

Report

• 1st day: February 24 2004 part 1 
              February 24 2004 part 2
• 2nd day: March 1 2004
• 3rd day: March 16 2004

Bill as amended in the report (HL Bill 45)

3rd reading: March 25 2004

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments: April 19 2004

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amendments: April 26 2004

House of Commons

Consideration of Lords amendments: April 29 2004

House of Lords

Consideration of Commons amendments: May 11 2004

The Bill received royal assent on May 13 2004

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004