A simplification of the planning system will give builders more time to start developments and greater flexibility over their projects, it has been suggested.
Government proposals will simplify the planning system and allow a quick and easy way to extend the life of planning consent for a temporary period, according to government minister John Healey.
It is hoped the plans will help builders through the current economic slowdown after a sharp drop-off in the number of granted planning permissions that builders are taking up.
The credit crunch has been particular crippling for builders, who have been forced to mothball existing developments and put the start of new ones on hold until an upturn in the market.
The proposals would see the time it takes for planning permission to expire after a period of inaction extended by local authorities beyond the typical three-year period in place at the moment.
The Local Government Association, British Property Federation and CBI have all called for local authorities to be given this power.
Mr Healey said local authorities would also be given the freedom to make changes to large developments and town centres by using Local Development Orders (LDO).
