The drive by the government to speed up the planning system received a boost this week when the House of Commons voted down several amendments to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase bill proposed by the House of Lords.
Peers had tabled the amendments because of what they saw as a lack of democratic accountability in the proposals. The government needs the bill to set up fast-track planning for its housebuilding schemes.

The commons voted to make reports by planning inspectors binding, to increase the number of inspectors working on infrastructure projects and to press ahead with a plan for special business zones that use fast-track planning consent procedures. It also voted to keep the bill's original proposal to cut the length of planning consents from five to three years.

However, MPs retained a demand from Lord Rogers for a commitment to high quality design in the planning process, in attempt to calm fears that faster planning decisions would lead to poorer design.

The bill will now return to the Lords on Monday for approval.