As noted in the consultation impact assessment accompanying the new streamlined Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4), we do not envisage that our proposals will impose additional burdens or extra costs on local planning authorities. We believe that there is potential for real cost savings in the medium to long-term by presenting policies for economic development in an integrated way, particularly in terms of speedier and better quality plan making, and decision taking in respect to planning applications.
In particular, the revisions proposed to planning for town centres policy are amendments to the existing policy as set out in PPS6 “Planning for Town Centres”, and are designed to improve the effectiveness of our 'town centres first' policy rather than making any fundamental change. Similarly, the approach to planning for economic development is intended to build upon the existing policy approach in PPG4 “Industrial, Commercial Development and Small Firms” by reinforcing messages and emphasising certain aspects of the approach.