Large housing schemes may no longer face the risk of being called in for public inquiry by the government unless there are significant objections against them.

The proposal is contained in a government consultation document aimed at streamlining the system that decides which applications are called in.

Under the current system, councils have to notify the government every time a scheme of more than 150 homes is approved. This means developers of have to wait weeks for the Government Office to give them the green light following planning approval.

However, future schemes will only risk being called in if they face considerable opposition.

Applications for commercial premises will only be called in if they are located out of town.

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