Consultation launched on ways to speed up often lengthy planning negotiations

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Housing minister Brandon Lewis has launched a consultation on measures aimed at speeding up Section 106 agreements to deliver new housing.

The proposals include setting clear time limits for section 106 negotiations to be concluded, requiring parties to start discussions at the beginning of the planning process, a dispute resolution process where negotiations have stalled, and using standardised document to avoid each agreement being drafted from scratch.

The announcement follows on from a commitment to consult on section 106 agreements in the Autumn Statement, once complete the government is proposing new legislation in the next Parliament.

The Autumn Statement 2014 included a commitment to consult on measures to speed up the negotiation and agreement of section 106 agreements as part of the Government’s commitment to delivering a faster and more effective planning system.

The government is also asking whether the requirement to provide affordable housing contributions acts as a barrier to development providing dedicated student accommodation.

Interest parties can make their views known on , the consultation closes on March 19.