Submission on Draft Planning Regulations
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Generally, the Institute welcomes the fact that the Regulations are being changed, with a view towards simplifying the current rather bureaucratic regime, particularly with regard to the validation of planning applications. Our members have extensive experience of the problems created by the current validation process, which appears to differ from Planning Authority to Planning Authority, and often depends on the whim of individual administrative or clerical officers in particular Councils. It is our view that this process has added an additional layer of bureaucracy which was not there prior to the 2001 Regulations and frustrates the proper operation of the planning system. The Institute is also supportive of the move towards a standard planning application form, as this will make the submission of planning applications more efficient and transparent.