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As part of this simplification process, the Government is also looking for means to reduce the planning overhead.  Consultation is presently underway in relation to proposals to reduce the frequency with which planning applications are referred to the Secretary of State under calling in provisions.

Section 77 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 empowers the Secretary of State to make directions requiring planning applications to be determined by the Secretary of State rather than allow them to be determined by the local planning authority.

This power tends to be used selectively and normally where there are planning issues that are of more than pure local interest.

In accordance with guidelines and whilst each case is considered on its merits, the range of issues likely to lead to call in include:

•·         Conflict with national policies on important matters.

•·         Significant effect on the immediate locality.

•·         Giving rise to substantial regional or national controversy.

•·         Having significant architectural urban design issues.

•·         Involving national security issues or those of foreign governments.

In 2003/4, the Secretary of State called in 110 applications of which the majority were for housing or retail development.

In 2006/7, 786 applications were considered for call in but only 51 were actually referred to the Secretary of State.

Examples of call in have included British Nuclear Fuels Windscale, the development of Spittlefields Market in the East End of London, Stamford Bridge Football Stadium, Airport extensions at Stanstead and Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow (mentioned above) and the use of short take off and landing aircraft at London Docklands Airport (including the extension of that runway and the installation of runway lighting).

Applications for Listed Building Consent can also be subject to call in.

The directions that may be made under Section 77 extend to requiring certain types of application to be referred to the regional government office where the local planning authority is minded to grant permission.

The current consultation paper suggests that the present system imposes too great a burden on local authorities and government offices and causes uncertainty for developers as well as much criticised delay.

The aim, therefore, is to reduce the number of applications that have to be referred, allowing resources to be diverted to the more significant or complex cases and to allow referrals to be dealt with punctually and within prescribed timetables.

The consultation paper recommends a narrowing of the scope for call in to five specific areas:

•·         Playing fields.

•·         Green belt.

•·         Flooding.

•·         Town Centres.

•·         Matters of national heritage.

This will mean that some applications previously referred will now avoid the process, including:

•·         Applications for more than 150 homes.

•·         Where land is owned by a local authority.

For retail, leisure, office or mixed commercial use applications that involve more than 5,000m² gross area, only those sites that are on the edge of town or out of centre locations are not in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 6 will be referred for call in.

The paper does, however, propose to retain referral where the proposal is to increase existing floor space by more than 2,500m² where the total would go beyond 5,000m².

Any application involving a world heritage site will automatically be referred.

Those wishing to respond to the consultation have until 31 March 2008 to do so.