A York expert in planning law today urged businesses in the city and the region to take advantage of new changes which, he says, will give them a greater say in planning strategy.

John Yeomans, senior partner of York solicitors Harrowell Shaftoe, said the introduction of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 was "excellent news for business."

From now on, he said, bosses of commerce and industry will have a real say on issues like allocating land for business and housing development, road links and transportation.

"Once, business people felt powerless because they always had to deal with the bureaucracy of several local authorities. Now their voice can be heard by one single authority."

In future regional strategic development planning will be the responsibility of the eight Regional Assemblies in England and Wales.

Although an elected regional assembly in Yorkshire and The Humber has been put on hold, pending a referendum, the framework of Regional Assemblies is already in place.

Complicating the issue has been the withdrawal of East Riding of Yorkshire Council from the regional assembly, prompting several others to consider their positions.

But the Government appears determined to press ahead with its regionalisation plans and businesses area advantage of the new system.

In Yorkshire and The Humber, the Assembly is made up of 23 nominees from the region's local authorities, and stakeholders, such as business organisations, police, health, the TUC, environmental and social organisations.

Now the nominated assembly for Yorkshire and the Humber is working on a new development plan for the region. Businesses in Yorkshire now have a golden opportunity to influence key decisions to create the best possible conditions for the growth of the regional economy," said Mr Yeomans.

"The new powers introduced in May are designed to provide a transparent community led planning process in line with government objectives with an agile and responsive Assembly which is highly accessible to all parts of the community."

"Now regional planning policy will be focused on the whole region and its economic, transport, environmental and housing needs and not on narrow individual local authority areas."

"It provides the opportunity of bringing business back to the centre of regional economic and planning affairs."

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, October 12, 2004