A new bill aimed at making the planning process quicker and easier for the public to get involved in is to be published, it has emerged.

The proposals will see the average time for decisions on major projects cut down to under a year as red tape is aimed to be reduced.

In addition, developers will be legally obliged to consult the local community, local authorities and key stakeholders as they prepare projects.

As a result the news may be of interest to people seeking planning jobs and those looking to make use of a regional recruitment portal to attract such candidates.

It is thought that the changes will mean £300 million per year will be saved, totaling about £5 billion by 2030.

Communities secretary Hazel Blears said: "Through quicker and high quality decisions our planning bill will help deliver on the government’s long-term vision for Britain in relation to housing, climate change, energy security, transport provision - and prosperity and quality of life for all.

"The new measures show that it is possible to deliver not only a faster and more efficient planning system, but high quality decisions with greater community involvement."

Earlier this month, housing minister Yvette Cooper reported that the Callcutt review on the development of green housing could help to boost the planning applications system.

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