Planning authorities in Wales have been pledged £1.75 million to help improve services and aid the economy.
The promise from environment minister Jane Davidson came as a review of the planning application process was announced.
Ms Davidson said even though 85 to 90% of applications were approved, she wanted to see a more ’streamlined’ system in order to root out delays.
“The planning system must be efficient, delivering decisions which are open, fair, consistent and transparent,” she explained.
“It is essential that the system inspires public and business confidence, delivering quality development and places, particularly in the light of challenging economic circumstances.”
Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru national director Roisin Willmott welcomed the review, saying it would go towards ensuring there was a system in Wales which was able to deliver an efficient service without compromising the quality of its decisions.
“Currently there are too many minor applications washing across the desks of hard pressed Welsh planners which don’t need to be there and so we would like to see the review investigate how permitted development can be extended to create a faster and, importantly, more user-friendly planning process,” he added.
