The Planning Bill will pass through Parliament. Following widespread complaints about the planning system’s performance, not least from the Treasury, the Government has produced proposals to revise it. Recent weeks have seen a major part of the Government’s rationale for reform — the belief that the system has constrained UK competitiveness — called into question. But ministers still claim that change willimprove efficiency~ and unlessthere’s a backbench revolt — the new bill gain consent. County structure plans will be replaced with regional spatial strategies, simplified planning zones will be introduced for high-tech industries in deprived areas, and compulsory purchase will be made easier. But the change that may make the biggest difference is injecting an extra £350 million into the planning system over the next three years. (Thanks to New Start)