Government may relax planning regulations.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has proposed a major overhaul over the whole system for granting planning and building permission, aiming to spur construction of new homes, nuclear power plants and airport runways.

The Department for Communities and Local Government will suggest that local planning authorities be required to approve projects where the government makes a "statement of need,'' groups including the Confederation of British Industry said.

Planning delays have frustrated the efforts of government and companies to push through infrastructure projects in the U.K. BAA needed eight years to gain permission to build a fifth terminal at London's Heathrow airport in 2001. British Energy Plc waited six years for the go-ahead to build the Sizewell B nuclear station, which entered service in 1995.

"There is an urgent need to reform the system if we are able to deliver the major infrastructure which the U.K. is crying out for,'' said CBI Director General Richard Lambert, Britain's biggest business lobby group, which was consulted on the plan.

The government also may relax guidelines to councils on planning outside city centers, allowing supermarkets and stores to build bigger facilities more easily, according to the Association of Convenience Stores. Currently, developers must prove an area needs a new store before building can begin.

The White Paper will also suggest that minor projects like conservatories should no longer need planning permission where there is little impact on neighbours.