House purchase solicitors and other professionals in the property conveyancing industry are considering how the Localism Bill will change aspects of planning and development which are due to become less restricted in some situations.

The Local Government Minister Eric Pickles said that the Bill aimed to strengthen local democracy and give people the freedom to run their lives and neighbourhoods in their own way.

Communities will have a new right to draft Neighbourhood Plans which will allow development either in full or in outline without having to apply for planning permission.

Similarly, if at least 50% of the population of a community want a development, it will be able to go ahead without planning permission.

Where there are very large developments, prospective builders will have to consult local communities, giving them a chance to influence the project before it is submitted for planning consent.

However, where people try to evade the planning system, local authorities will be given powers to take stronger action than at present.

When the Localism Bill becomes law it will apply throughout England and Wales, in both rural areas and cities such as London and Brighton.

Tenants who are provided with homes through local authority management, including homeless people and those qualifying for social housing also face changes to the established system.

Flexibility will be given to housing agencies to decide on eligibility for housing waiting lists and the Bill will grant tenancies for a fixed length of time rather than the current lifetime limit. A national homeswap scheme is intended to help people who need to move form a tenancy for employment or social reasons.

The Communities Bill confirms that the former Home Information Packs (HIPs), which were regarded by many house purchase solicitors and both buyers and sellers as unnecessary, will be abolished, although energy performance certificates will still be needed before conveyancing is complete.