The initiative is intended to speed up the processes involved in planning large and complex urban developments - the 24-acre Sheffield site is one of the biggest of the 21 pilot schemes. Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said: "Too often very large applications take a long time to sort out, creating uncertainty for both developers and the local community. The planning system needs to do more to support sustainable development."

A note of caution was sounded however by Jo Embling, partner at Cushman & Wakefield and with an involvement in the Moor Sheffield project, who said: "I am perplexed. The intentions are wholly laudable, but the results may not be. My fear is that it will add another layer to what is already a complex matter and that will add another layer of costs." She added: "The government regeneration agenda does suffer from the law of unintended consequences. I sense that it is another contract to negotiate."

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