Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott&amp;’s &amp;“step-change&amp;” in the planning process is to be fast tracked through parliament with Royal Assent being granted before next summer.<p></p><p> Housing minister Lord Rooker, speaking at the NHBC annual lunch, said the Planning Bill will be published imminently and go through the parliamentary process before Christmas.</p><p> &amp;“This is a de-regulatory bill designed to improve standards,&amp;” he said. &amp;“It will bring a simpler, more accessible planning system.&amp;”</p><p> The legislation will introduce the reforms announced by Prescott in July - these include replacing local and structure plans with local development frameworks, speeding up public inquiries and simplifying compulsory purchase orders.</p><p> Rooker said local government had &amp;“slipped up&amp;” by allowing a 30% drop in resources in planning departments over recent years, but confirmed that money will soon be made available to those authorities that improve planning performance.</p><p> The minister also confirmed that the government would be encouraging innovation in new home building. &amp;“We will have a big push towards building modern homes by modern methods,&amp;” he said. &amp;“This will improve quality and speed, but must result in the construction of a marketable commodity - the new home buyer has got to be able to raise a mortgage.&amp;”</p><p> * …