The Infrastructure Planning Commission has announced the appointment of three commissioners to help streamline the planning process for large infrastructure projects.
The new key decision makers are planning lawyer Jan Bessell, North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership technical director Glyn Roberts and Paul Hudson, a regional director for the Homes and Communities Agency.
The commisioners will either act singly or sit on panels on nationally significant projects.
The IPC will help to accelerate the planning process for major projects such as large wind farms, power stations and railways.
Under the IPC the length of typical major applications is expected to fall to under a year and the new system could save up to £300 million a year.
In July, Housing and Planning Minister John Healey announced a detailed timetable for the implementation of the new planning regime for major infrastructure projects.
From October, it will be advising promoters and other interested parties on the new process, for example ensuring that they consult local communities effectively and prepare their applications to a high standard.
Applications from the energy and transport sectors will be received from 1 March 2010 and it is expected that the IPC will carry out its first examinations over the following summer.
IPC chair Sir Michael Pitt said: “Jan, Glyn and Paul bring with them a wealth of planning and development experience and expertise.
“Their appointments further strengthen the IPC team, ensuring that we are equipped to deliver to the highest standards from day one.”
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Source: Construction News |
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