26th November 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Immediate government action is needed now to tackle the billions of pounds wasted by planning delays and bureaucracy, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB’s demand for government action follows hot on the heels of the Killian Pretty Review report into the planning system which calls for a faster more responsive planning system
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said
“The delays and expense caused by bureaucracy and inefficiency in the planning system are costing the UK billions of pounds every year and constitute a massive barrier to the delivery of urgently needed housing for our growing population. This problem has been allowed to grow unchecked for far too long, and the World Bank ranking of 61st in the world for the UK planning system is a testament to the degree to which it has become a national embarrassment.”
Berry continued:
“The Government has the final report of the Killian Pretty Review and must act now on its recommendations. This review must not become just another report left to gather dust on a shelf while the system strangles delivery. We welcome the review and the commitments already made by Margaret Beckett MP on further extensions to permitted development, and reductions in information requirements. However, the Government will have to go further and faster if we are to have a planning system which is fit for purpose.”
