SWINDON Council has been given £75,000 from the Government to implement a scheme which could reduce the cost for developers looking to build on brownfield sites.

Swindon is one of only four authorities in the country to be given the cash which will be used to implement Local Development Orders on designated areas of land around the town.

These mean any developers looking to build on these sites will automatically be given planning permission to do so, which will reduce much of the red-tape and costs surrounding the building process.

On a typical 10-home small development, this could save six months and £25,000 in planning application costs.

By cutting bureaucracy and risk, Housing LDOs aim to encourage smaller house builders, new entrants to the housing sector and people wanting to build their own homes, to submit schemes.

Although the land has yet to be designated, it is likely only comparatively small pieces of land will be used so no large scale developments will go through.

Before any LDO is adopted, the council will consult fully with local residents to ensure they are happy with the principal and nature of the development being given the green light.

It would also be subject to approval by councillors on the planning committee.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member for strategic planning, sustainability and transport, said: “I am very pleased that Swindon has been selected to pioneer a new way to encourage small developers in providing high quality affordable new homes to local residents on brownfield sites and council-owned sites.

“The time and costs associated with securing planning permission, especially when there is no certainty that the developer will actually get a yes, acts as a barrier to smaller developers.

“It is one of the main reasons why the British housing industry is dominated by just a few national house builders.

“We would like to see this change.

“I am a big champion for removing the red tape and bureaucracy involved within the planning system by using Local Development Orders, and for several years Swindon has been recognised as a leader in this.

“The £75,000 demonstrates the Government’s confidence in Swindon’s ability to deliver innovation and set an example to the rest of the country.”

The LDOs will also spare developers from dealing with highway and utility issues as these will be decided beforehand.