PLANNERS and the business community have come together to agree a new "planning charter" to help major development proposals through the planning system.

Following on from the successful "Planning for Prosperity" conferences in Camborne and Falmouth, this revised charter sets out the requirements for obtaining speedy planning decisions.

The new charter has been supported by Councillor Mrs Maggie Vale, chairman of the Cornwall Planning Forum, who said: "The key to success is early discussion with the planning authorities. Officers will advise on the relevant planning policies, all the necessary procedures and will agree a timetable for processing the application.

"This early discussion will enable us to put developers in touch with the major consultees and identify the information required to support a planning application."

Central to the aims of the charter are proposals to achieve better development leading to buildings and places of lasting quality and character which have a low impact on the environment, saving energy and materials with good accessibility for all.

Thelma Sorensen, of Cornwall Business Partnership and chaiman of the Cornwall Economic Forum welcomed the charter to which all Cornwall's planning authorities, the Government Office and SWERDA are signatories.

"This is a good example of working together to achieve prosperity for Cornwall," she said "A responsive planning system is vital to the economic success of Cornwall particularly if we are going to achieve all the benefits of Objective One."

"This charter should help both business and planning authorities to achieve swifter planning decisions and better development overall."