PLANNING PROBLEMS THREATEN TO DERAIL REGENERATION PLAN

摘要

The Government's regeneration and house-building programmes could be derailed because of the chronic, long-term problems in the planning system, a powerful parliamentary body has warned. In a report published today (24 July) the Communities and Local Government Select Committee said the current planning regime is 'unable to manage the volume or variety of tasks required between now and 2020.' Committee chair Phyllis Starkey said: 'When we began this inquiry we intended to look at the skills shortage in modern planning departments but we quickly discovered the problem went further and that there was a shortage of planners themselves.' She added: 'What is most frustrating is the fact that these shortages have been in evidence for well over a decade but despite numerous reviews nothing has been done.'