Planning act
The term ‘Act’ refers to an Act of Parliament that either creates a new law or changes in some way an existing one. Acts of Parliament comprise the UK’s statute law.
In the construction industry, the term ‘planning’ generally refers to the process of obtaining planning permission, or the general subject of town and country planning, that is; plan making and development management.
The term Planning Act is commonly considered to refer to the Town and Country Planning Act, which in 1947 introduced the basis for much of the contemporary planning system. It was subsequently revised in 1968 and 1990.
For more information see: Town and Country Planning Act.
However, there are a number of other Acts that relate specifically to planning, such as the Planning Act 2008, the Housing and Planning Act 2016, and the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017.
It is wise therefore when referring to planning Acts to identify a specific Act, and the revision that is being referred to.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Housing and Planning Act 2016.
- Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990.
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act.
- Planning Act 2008.
- Planning and Compensation Act 1991.
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act.
- Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order.
- Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
- Town and Country Planning Act.
- Town planning.
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