The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) has opened for business to advise developers of new large infrastructure projects vital to the country's future - such as power stations, roads, railways and airports - in preparation for the major planning applications the IPC will consider from March 2010.

Eight former planning systems are being replaced by a single process, cutting the time taken to make decisions from up to seven years to under a year and saving the country up to £300m a year. There will be better opportunities for opinions to be heard at every stage and the IPC will insist on the highest standard of applications from promoters, with evidence that communities have been consulted effectively about proposed projects.

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The new regime will take into account the long term needs of the country, making sure we have the right infrastructure vital to our economic, environmental and social wellbeing. It will also address the challenge of climate change, strengthen the voice of communities and aim to create the conditions for future economic success.

Housing and Planning Minister John Healey, who led the Planning Act 2008 through Parliament, said: "Improving the UK's infrastructure now and in the future is critical to maintaining and improving our quality of life, protecting our prosperity and safeguarding the environment in an increasingly competitive global economy.

"The creation of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) is important for the delivery of these changes for a new generation of green infrastructure sources to meet our ambitious low-carbon goals.

"Over the next two decades we will need to replace around a third of our electricity generating capacity if we are to continue to meet demand. And unless we make much greater use of renewable energy we will struggle to reduce carbon emissions."

The IPC was introduced in the Planning Act 2008 and has been established by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It will act as an independent advisory body, cutting red tape for nationally significant infrastructure projects and operating a one stop development consent process.

(CD/KMcA)