The UK Government must rethink the planning process to help kick-start regional development.

The number of planning applications received by district planning authorities in England has fallen by a reported 26% during the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period the year before.

Many developers have been left confused and frustrated by the current and emerging planning process, at a time when the Government should be taking measures to boost regeneration plans.

In spite of the market conditions and the challenges presented by the planning system, now is actually the perfect time to seek planning permission for land and buildings. This may enhance existing site values in the shorter-term, but more importantly will mean that sites will be ‘market ready’ for when the economy recovers.

From a planning perspective, most clients will view the costs of making an application prohibitive and therefore immediate temporary measures need to be put in place to address this.

Surely local authorities should be encouraging suitable development wherever possible, to secure regional redevelopment recovery? The shortage of credit over the last year has meant that many applications have not been progressed and this of course affects planning at every level.

To entice planning applications at a reasonable/acceptable cost and through a quicker process will benefit the development market when the downturn recedes.

Sean Hedley is head of planning service for Sanderson Weatherall