Policy background Planning
This Act ensures the planning system in England can continue to operate effectively and proactively support the planning and safe construction of new development following the impact of Covid-19. The Act introduces a new route for developers to seek to amend planning restrictions on construction site working hours to temporarily allow extended working hours, for example work during the evening and at weekends. This is to ensure that, where appropriate, planning conditions are not a barrier to allowing developers the flexibility necessary to facilitate the safe operation of construction sites during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and to proceed at pace with work otherwise delayed as a result of Covid-19.
	The Act also extends the expiration of certain planning permissions and listed building consents, providing certainty to the development industry where developments are delayed due to Covid-19. There is a strong consensus across the industry and local planning authorities that unimplemented planning permissions should be extended to enable planned developments to be commenced over the next year. MHCLG analysis of data from Glenigan, the construction market analysts, shows that at the end of March 2020 there were 1,178 major residential planning permissions with capacity to deliver over 60,000 homes due to lapse this calendar year.
	The Act will temporarily remove the requirements for the Mayor of London to make the current Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) available for physical inspection and to provide hard copies on request. This will help accelerate progress of the emerging SDS to ultimately unlock development and support the economy. It will make it safer for planning officers and the general public inspecting documents, and reduce administrative burdens.
	It also provides the Planning Inspectorate with the flexibility to use more than one procedure type when dealing with a planning appeal (local inquiry, hearing, and/or written representations), enabling appeals to progress at a faster pace.
	This Act also amends section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020. This ensures that Mayoral development corporations, urban development corporations, parish meetings, and Transport for London can be included in secondary legislation allowing for the modification of requirements for local authority meetings held on or before 6 May 2021. This includes allowing them to hold all necessary meetings virtually, enabling local authority members, officers and members of the public to access meetings and associated documents remotely.