The Czech state is considering changing the laws governing the planning procedures in order to reduce the time it takes to secure permits for construction. Among the changes that could be implemented would be reducing the opportunities for objections to be filed against them, according to an article in Hospodářské noviny. Under the current system, opponents of new roads or railways can delay their construction by years if they understand the approval process in enough detail. The government is even considering requiring a CZK 10,000 deposit be submitted in each process plus another CZK 5,000 for each opinion requested. Critics are calling the planned changes unconstitutional. Another idea is to give government offices just 60 days to turn down a planning request. Failure to do so would result in the request being approved automatically. Finally, the planning and construction permit procedures could be rolled into a single document.
