Planning red tape may be slashed

Red tape for people wanting to carry out simple home improvements such as adding a conservatory, or installing wind turbines, may be slashed.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly insists the aim of the White Paper - described as the biggest planning shake-up for 20 years - is to make the system simpler and more accessible for everyone.

The proposals, which will be unveiled by the Government later, would see the final decision on major planning projects taken by an independent commission rather than ministers.

But there are concerns it could pave the way for more nuclear power stations, airport runways and housing estates.

Officials claim it could save more than £1 billion within a decade by incorporating the current eight separate planning systems into one.

However, organisations such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Friends of the Earth have warned that the measures could also result in a bias towards permitting controversial major developments.

Many of the proposals in the White Paper stem from the 2006 Review of Land Planning Use published by economist Kate Barker - an adviser to Chancellor Gordon Brown.

That document suggested easing restrictions on the use of green belt land in order to free up space for housing.

But it is understood ministers will renew their commitment to protect the green belt, stressing that so-called brownfield sites are still the priority for development.

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