A better brighter Britain but not for watching brief conditions

[kevin wooldridge]

but if you don't need planning permission for a small extension, who will there be to monitor the works,

Then proposal (as outlined in the Guardian article) doesn't say that you won't need permission, it says you won't need traditional planning permission.

' Under the plans, to be outlined in a localism bill.......new groups will be allowed to draw up agreed categories of development known as "neighbourhood development orders". The reforms would mean that homeowners could add to their homes without the need for traditional planning permission if they won support within their neighbourhood group'.

Homeowners would still need to seek permission from someone (neighbourhood group) and even that permission might be subject to local referendum (cost picked up by the applicant I am guessing). So tell me how that simplifies or lessens the cost of the current system? ..... Also I remember when this proposal was first mooted there was talk of as little as 10% opposition spelling an end to any proposal rather than a straight majority. So it might be just a NIMBYist charter rather than an opportunity for unbridled development.