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News from ACE
Immediate release: 27 March 2012
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has welcomed the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework that aims to simplify planning and create a presumption in favour of sustainable proposals.
The government has set out plans to dramatically ease the planning rules, cutting regulation and guidance from around 1,000 pages to around 50. There will be a presumption in favour of sustainable proposals on areas of land not specifically protected. However, local communities will still have a role in supporting or opposing projects.
Nelson Ogunshakin OBE, ACE chief executive, said: “A more effective and simpler planning system is crucial to offering developers the certainty they need to invest and grow the economy. Investors report that planning risk is a significant barrier to them investing in UK infrastructure projects, and moves to overcome that barrier should be welcomed. The UK’s infrastructure and housing needs are considerable, and these measures can be a significant part of the holistic approach to development that is needed.
“However, industry is aware that new planning rules will take time to be established. To avoid lengthy legal challenges in the interim, local communities must be shown that they can share in the benefits of development. Government, local authorities, and industry must continue to work together in partnership to meet that challenge.”
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Notes for editors
For media enquiries please contact Gavin Pearson (gpearson@acenet.co.uk) (020 7202 0255).
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