Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has published a new plain English guide to explain how the planning system in England works.

It is hoped that the new guide will help local people to get involved in the debate over what is built in their neighbourhood.

The guide will offer simple explanations of how the planning system, which has undergone major reforms since 2010, works. It will also contain details about how local and neighbourhood plans are written and adopted locally, and how to obtain planning permission.

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: “The previous system of top-down targets left residents powerless in the face of local development – our reforms have reversed this, and put people back in control.

“People are already voting with their feet, with 1,200 communities involved in neighbourhood plans, and 80% of authorities have published a local plan – this plain English guide gives all the information anyone would need to get involved in the local decision-making process.”

Lewis has also published a plain English guide for anyone looking to set up a free school in their area. The guide outlines the steps required to set up a free school, as well as the role of the Education Funding Agency in helping to secure suitable premises.

The guide also highlights that councils have up to 13 weeks to make planning decisions and explains that once permission is granted development must start within three years.

Reforms to the system have helped housebuilding levels to grow to their highest since 2007. This includes the implementation of the National Planning Policy Framework; the safeguarding of the green belt; the introduction of Neighbourhood Plans; and the overhaul of the Local Plan.

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