Growth and Infrastructure Bill

John McDonnell Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Michael Fallon]

The object of the scheme is that we end up with fewer, not more, planning applications, and that should save local authorities some expense.

[John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab)]

Will the Minister give way?

[Michael Fallon]

I think that I must make some more progress first.

If approval is not given, the home owner will be able to appeal against a refusal, or may wish to submit a full planning application. As with normal planning consents, neighbours will not be able to appeal against a grant of permission. The approval process will be straightforward, and—I think that this is the answer to my hon. Friend’s question—we do not expect it to impose significant costs on local authorities. It will ensure that uncontroversial improvements are dealt with quickly, it will protect neighbours’ amenity, with the council as an independent arbiter, and it will ultimately make it cheaper for people to extend their homes and will devolve more power to local residents.

[John McDonnell]

I apologise for being slightly late. I was chairing another meeting.

One of the issues that have been raised continually with me is that of developments that overlook neighbours and, for instance, the positioning of windows. What information will be available to neighbours about that?

[Michael Fallon]

The applicant will have to send a letter to the local authority notifying it of the proposal and enclosing plans, which will of course have to receive building control consent. There will be a full notification, but it will not go through the normal planning regime process.