The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has released a paper urging local planning decisions being moved from local authority planning departments.

Planners need to focus on local developments, which would boost speed and competency, the paper, which was submitted to the government’s planning white paper consultation, argues.

Delays, complexity and confusion between network partners result from the current planning system, the BCC states in the paper.

BCC head of policy Natalie Evans said: "At both national and local level, we need to see a radical streamlining of the planning process.

"Projects vital to the development of local economies, not to mention our national infrastructure, are being delayed due to an overly complex system that puts too much pressure on ill-equipped local planning departments."

Projects on a national scale should be put in the hands of an independent commission, which would leave local bodies to concentrate on their own areas of responsibility, she added.

Meanwhile, the BCC has also stated recently that traffic plans in particular need greater movement and direction than that afforded by the current planning process, reports the BBC.

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