Planning law hits firms

Consultants have warned that new planning requirements for demolition could cause critical delays to developments.

Following a successful Court of Appeal challenge by English Heritage against the government in March, all demolition must come under the scope of the planning system.

Bob Robinson, of planning consultancy DPP, said his firm had received a “significant number of calls from concerned firms, such as housebuilders and demolition contractors” about the impact of the change.

Developers must now obtain prior approval before demolishing a building, which can take up to 28 days to obtain, or submit an Environmental Impact Assessment for approval, which can take longer.