The government has announced its intention to "reduce and consolidate planning regulations", as set out by this press release dated 29/10/2013.

With regards to the consolidation of legislation, the press release states that the GPDO 1995 will be consolidated (albeit with reference to an incorrect number of amendments).  In addition, the "Red Tape Challenge" document (at the end of the press release) lists various other planning secondary legislation under the category "Improve (Merge/Simplify)", which indicates that such legislation might also be consolidated.  The latter includes the Advertisement Regulations 2007, the DMPO 2010, the LBCA Regulations 1990, and the UCO 1987, etc.  No timescales are set out for this process.

With regards to the reduction of legislation, the press release states that the government will "tackle unnecessary and overly burdensome requirements in the application process", although no further details are provided.  In addition, the "Red Tape Challenge" document lists various planning secondary legislation under the category "Scrap".  The latter includes legislation that has already been almost entirely superseded, such as the "Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) Rules 1992", as well as relatively obscure legislation, such as the "Town and Country Planning (Ironstone Areas Special Development) Order 1950", etc.