Legal Updates

Planning bill negotiates second reading in the House of Lords

Date:  21 Jul 2008

The current planning bill moved one stage closer to enactment last week when it received a successful second reading in the House of Lords.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) had urged the House to look on positively at the bill, which it claims is needed to "keep the lights on" in Britain beyond 2020.

With David Cameron''s Conservative Party are opposed to the changes and the Labour Party having no majority in the Lords, there were concerns over its safe passage to the committee stage.

However, after remaining in session until 1am on Wednesday morning, the Lords provided no obstacles to the legislative proposals which would see the introduction of a streamlined planning system for infrastructure projects.

According to the CBI, the UK needs seven new gas and coal-fired stations, 12 new nuclear stations and 40 wind farms to meet rising energy demands.

The organisation claims the relaxation of planning laws is needed to allow the construction of the necessary developments in time.

The bill, which was originally proposed in a white paper in May last year, would see an independent body established to oversee the applications for major energy projects.

Vizards Tweedie specialist in all aspects of commercial and residential property work

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