Buckinghamshire is one of three councils in England funded by the government to test two apps designed to speed up decisions on planning applications submitted by developers and homeowners.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick says the two-pronged innovation is a step towards a fully digital planning system for all councils.

“Many home improvements such as kitchen extensions and loft conversions don’t need full planning permission but the rules are complicated and often result in people submitting invalid applications for ‘permitted developments’ wasting time and money,” he says.

The first new app is designed for homeowners. The Whitehall boffins say it’s written in simple language backed up with diagrams to navigate a novice through the paperwork to determine whether the plans for the new building meet the necessary regulations for a “permitted development.”

If so, the homeowner can use the same app to apply for a certificate to prove the planning application has been validated and the building can go ahead.

The second new app is a user friendly version for the planner handling the homeowner’s application at the town hall.

The other two local authorities chosen for the pilot scheme are Southwark and Lambeth in London.

As well as initiating improvements in design technology affecting the built environment, the planning department at Buckinghamshire Council is campaigning for decisions about the future of high streets to reflect what the majority of locals say is needed.

Proposed changes to planning rules affecting shopping centres will be half baked if they’re introduced across the country “on a one size fits all basis” on August 1, fear those in the know.

A broad brush approach could lead to mayhem if small schemes are rushed through without in-depth local consultation, Buckinghamshire Council leader Martin Tett has warned.

This week he wrote to Robert Jenrick urging the government not to opt for a quick fix.

He wants rule changes to be put on hold for a year to see how they work out in practice in areas where pilot schemes are underway.

The worst case scenario for many of those with a keen interest in planning “is that the proposed new rules will effectively give developers the green light to automatically convert retail or commercial space along prime high streets into residential use without needing planning permission”.

Cllr Tett recommends a diplomatic approach. He said this week that “whilst acknowledging that our shopping patterns are changing and that in the future many of our high street shops may need to be repurposed for residential use”, he wants the government to ensure decisions affecting local neighbourhoods will be made by representatives of those who live and/or work there, not at national level.

“Giving automatic rights to convert prime retail space into residential space removes any local power for communities or councils to take measures to protect and invigorate our main high streets. National rules will squash our local voices.

“We simply should not take a one-size-fits-all national approach. This proposed change risks putting power completely in the hands of developers… each town and each high street has its own dynamic, their own evolving retail footprint and its own place at the heart of our communities. High streets are part of the hyper local economy of a town or a village.

“The government’s proposed change threatens the very core of what we are seeking to achieve [in this county]

Cllr Tett is currently keeping a sharp eye on the building of HS2 where the new high speed railway bypasses Amersham, Chesham and Great Missenden on its route through to Birmingham.

In this week’s letter Mr Tett invited the minister of state at MHCLG “or any of the civil servants working on the new planning rules” to come to the towns and villages affected by HS2 and see for themselves the likely ramifications of their decisions.

Martin has lived in Bucks since 1984.

Prior to that he lived in Hillingdon where he was elected to the district council in 1978, standing down four years later to devote more time to his career as a marketing consultant at Deloitte.

He has represented Little Chalfont and Amersham Common at county level since 2005 and been the council’s overall leader since 2011.