OBSTACLES to planning applications are being removed – allowing derelict land to be developed faster.

Councils throughout Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent city, Staffordshire county, Newcastle borough, Stafford borough, and Staffordshire Moorlands district councils, have signed a charter committing to make the planning process easier for businesses.

The councils committed to the charter in front of 130 business leaders at an event organised by North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. They have agreed to smooth the path for businesses looking to invest in North Staffordshire.

In future, the council will give a clear idea of what type of business they want in each area. Any developers approaching the council will then be given almost instant advice on whether applications are in keeping with plans for each patch of land and if it is likely to be successful or not.

The councils will also liaise with the North Staffordshire Chamber of Trade and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to approach companies within the desired industries for each areas.

LEP board member Sue Prince said: "It makes it easier for businesses to grow and to create jobs.

"We are not saying, 'say yes to every developer', we are saying be clear about what you want, where you want it.

"It will enable businesses to put forward better applications and they will understand what councils want.

"It will be cheaper for both sides, and quicker.

"In the past developers have been frustrated. We get quantifiable information about the amount of time wasted on planning applications and the frustration of people saying they have had enough and considered walking away."

Stephen Dixon, managing director of Johnson Tiles, in Tunstall, said: "If you talk to any business in the country, everyone complains about planning. This is making it easier.

"Businesses want to know if an application is going to be successful."

Sara Williams, chief executive of North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, pictured left, said: "Businesses will welcome anything that makes the planning process easier and quicker.

"Enabling business to concentrate on growing and creating jobs, not bureaucracy, is something we all want to see."