Simplified application forms for planning permission, standardisation of development rules and elimination of the scope for discretion on the part of planning authorities are among the salient features of the Combined Development Regulation and Building Rules, cleared by the State Cabinet at a meeting on Friday.

At the meeting that lasted over three hours, the Cabinet also gave its nod to provisional allocations for various departments and the process of preparation of the Budget speech. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami chaired the meeting, which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam and others.

In July, the government put a draft of the Rules in the public domain and invited objections. After incorporating the suggestions of all stakeholders, a revised draft was sent to the Cabinet. After the scrutiny by the State Law Department, the Housing and Urban Development Department will issue an order in a week or so, notifying the rules.

Multiple agencies

Hitherto, depending upon the nature, size and location of buildings to be constructed, promoters or land owners had to approach different agencies such as the local bodies, the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) or the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), each with its own rules. This had caused hardship to applicants. This was why the authorities had to frame common rules.

The Rules will also enable a joint inspection of proposed building sites by the agencies concerned in the case of multi-storied buildings. and grey water harvesting. There are many more features associated with them but what is more important is that regardless of the nature of local body (municipal corporations, municipalities, town and village panchayats), the same set of rules will operate all over the State.

At the macro level, the implementation of the Rules will encourage vertical development of urban centres, the process of which is expected to lead to greater utilisation of available land in cities and towns. When this happens, the average cost of flats will come down. Officials in charge of preparation of the Rules say that the new system will expedite execution of schemes for affordable housing for the poor.