The Government is consulting upon new proposals for a requirement for Local Planning Authority’s to consult the Secretary of State where they are minded to refuse an application for commercial development as well as certain applications near nuclear facilities. There are also proposals for Defence Detailed Emergency Planning Zone but it’s a little niche!
As you might recall the government has already announced its intention that planning applications for 150 or more dwellings should be referred to the Secretary of State where an LPA is minded to refuse. This measure is being brought forward separately, but equivalent arrangements are now being proposed for commercial development with a floorspace of 15,000m2 or more. The consultation states that ‘This is to ensure that large scale, strategic developments are considered for potential call-in, in order to reflect the Government’s priority of promoting economic growth’. In our opinion, it’s a welcome move and a recognition that some Local Planning Authorities may struggle to attribute sufficient weight to proposals go beyond simply meeting a local need.
