The government has announced an overhaul of Britain's antiquated planning system.

Government minister Barbara Roche announced a "step change" in the way decisions for both big and small construction projects are made.

Roche outlined plans to remove one of the layers of bureaucracy - structure plans - and simplify the current system to three tiers; national, regional and local.

Plans to allow parliament to decide the fate of major projects, such as new runways at airports, have been shelved after concerns were raised that whips could influence backbenchers when the issue came to a vote.

Other key proposals include making strategic planning more relevant by requiring local authorities to provide regularly updated development frameworks to replace unitary development plans.

Business planning zones aimed at fast tracking developments in areas for urban regeneration will be set up and there will also be reform of the compulsory purchase system.

"The aim is to achieve fairer, faster outcomes that involve communities from the beginning," said a spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.