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CBI welcomes government proposals on planning laws

Published On 21 May 2007 at 16:42:38

Business leaders in the UK have reacted positively to a government white paper on planning which proposes to deliver a major overhaul of the UK's infrastructure system.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that the proposals contained within the document would deliver the improvements that businesses need to flourish in the future.

Richard Lambert, the CBI's director general said: "The business community will welcome the signal this legislation sends out. It introduces necessary reforms to help deliver the major projects, particularly in transport and energy, which the UK is crying out for if it is to remain competitive.

"The current system is not working and many vital developments have become bogged down in a quagmire of red tape and bureaucracy. The new proposals should streamline the system without losing its democratic responsibilities."

Mr Lambert added that removing the need for small building projects to obtain planning permission would free-up resources to deliver major developments.

In all, the CBI estimates that the current planning system causes delays which cost UK businesses approximately £2.7 billion a year.

The government also hopes that changes to the planning system will encourage businesses and homeowners to reduce their emissions and flight climate change.

 

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