A consultation has been launched seeking the public's views on a number of proposals for the implementation of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill, subject to it receiving Royal Assent later this year.
Views on changes to planning procedures, which would be brought in by the Act, are being sought in the following areas:
- National Planning Policy Directive Regulations (which set out how Directives will be produced and provides the powers for them to be implemented);
- A Development Procedure Order (which set out how planning applications and amendments to them are dealt with) and accompanying Regulations; and
- A Planning Committee Constitution Order (which provides further clarification regarding the status and powers of the Committee).
Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
‘The consultation is seeking feedback in a number of areas, including on an updated Development Procedure Order. This order will introduce a mechanism to amend planning applications and put in place the legal framework to allow the introduction of online planning applications. These changes will make the planning system more efficient, modernised and easy to use.’
Chris Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform, said:
‘I am looking forward to receiving feedback and suggestions on the use and process surrounding National Policy Directives within this consultation. These were considered extensively during the passage through Tynwald of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill and were also discussed during the debate in July’s Tynwald about the Strategic Plan, population and housing. Planning needs to be responsive to changing circumstances. These provide one form of flexibility.’
The consultation will be open for six weeks, closing on 15 September 2019. Results from the consultation will be reviewed and will inform the draft legislation.
The consultation can be found on the consultation hub.
