22nd February 2010 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Conservative Party proposals to reform the planning system by reintroducing a presumption in favour of sustainable development and replacing the Community Infrastructure Levy with tariff system would be a welcome boost to help the beleaguered building industry, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Director External Affairs at the FMB said:
“The building industry is suffering its worst economic crisis in decades so any measures that will help kick-start sustainable development are very welcome news. It is also very reassuring that the Conservative Party has listened to the FMB and accepted the need to replace the Community Infrastructure Levy with a new tariff system which would be a fairer and more consistent approach for developers who are worried by increasing development costs.”
Berry concluded:
“We do, however, have some concerns about allowing neighbours to force a review of planning applications as in the worst instance this could slow down an already creaking planning system.”
