[UPDATE: For the subsequent government response to this consultation, please view the following posts:
- This post for the response (and legislation) relating to fees for section 73 applications (note: the response is shown within paragraph 7.7 of the "Explanatory Memorandum" to SI 2025 No. 342).
- This post for the response (and legislation) relating to the expedited written representations appeal procedure (note: the response is shown within section 7 of the "Explanatory Memorandum" to SI 2026 No. 122).]

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 8 weeks from 06/03/2024 until 01/05/2024:

Consultation document:

• March 2024: An accelerated planning system - consultation (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).

Notes:

• The "Topic of this consultation" section at the start of the above consultation document includes the following information:
  - "This consultation seeks views on proposals to:
  >>> 1. introduce a new Accelerated Planning Service for major commercial applications with a decision time in 10 weeks and fee refunds if this is not met
  >>> 2. change the use of extensions of time, including ending their use for householder applications and only allowing one extension of time for other developments, which links to a proposed new performance measure for local planning authority speed of decision-making against statutory time limits
  >>> 3. expand the current simplified written representations appeals process for householder and minor commercial appeals to more appeals
  >>> 4. implement section 73B for applications to vary planning permissions and the treatment of overlapping permissions".