Decisions on major infrastructure projects such as airports, motorways and power stations are in future to be taken by an independent commission, under a major planning shake up announced by the Government yesterday,

Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly said the reforms outlined in her Planning White Paper would produce a system fit for the 21st Century, which would be fairer, faster and less complicated.

Environmentalists accused the Government of trying to push through controversial developments such as nuclear power plants and airport runways in the face of community opposition.

But business said the changes would help the UK deliver the major transport and energy projects which the country needs to compete internationally.

The White Paper aims to prevent a repeat of the seven-year wrangle over permission for Heathrow's Terminal Five by setting a statutory limit of nine months for most decisions.

And it gives householders more discretion to improve their homes, removing the requirement for planning permission for minor developments such as conservatories, small extensions, solar panels and wind turbines, where it is clear they have little or no impact on neighbours.

Unveiling the White Paper in the House of Commons, Ms Kelly said it would create the legal framework to meet the country's key infrastructure needs.

She told MPs: "An inaccessible and sometimes baffling system makes it hard for people to have their say on issues which can have a big impact on their quality of life. Too often it favours the well resourced over the less well off.

"Decision-making can be painfully slow, causing costs and prolonged uncertainty that are in no-one's interests, not individuals nor communities, nor developers."

The White Paper notes that it took more than six years to get the go-ahead for the North Yorkshire power line upgrade because of Britain's planning system.

As well as taking decisions on individual projects, the new commission will allow "open floor" debates where residents can have their say, rather than having to go before a courtroom-style inquiry.

There will be a new legal requirement on developers to consult the public, environmental groups and heritage experts, as well as an expansion of free advice from planning professionals for people affected by development schemes.

Councils will also get the power to rule whether retail developments will support the local town centre when deciding whether new shops should get the go-ahead.

Liz Smith, assistant regional director for CBI North-East said: "The White Paper is a step in the right direction and could have a positive impact on the North-East."

But Greenpeace director John Sauven said the changes would allow the Government to "rubber stamp the wrong projects" by "diluting democracy".