WORCESTER'S top planning officer is worried changes in the law could mean major projects in the city are either delayed or pushed through without public consultation.

Paul O'Connor said there were a number of potential advantages and disadvantages to the White Paper announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.

But he fears the biggest shake-up of the planning system in more than 20 years could delay schemes such as the dualling of the southern bypass, and mean more work and less income for Worcester City Council.

He said decisions could be delayed or made without taking into account all of the relevant information, such as environmental studies and regional strategies of how the area should look in the future.

Mr O'Connor - head of planning on the city council - said there would also need to be a change in the way the public is involved in planning to make sure any decisions made in future are for the greater good.

Under the new system, homeowners would be allowed to build small extensions and install energy-saving devices on their homes without planning permission when there is little impact on neighbours.

The move is to cut the amount of bureaucracy by introducing a standard application form and a new fast-track appeals system.

"There's still going to be a requirement for planning applications for about 80 per cent of the domestic applications that we see at the moment," he said, adding building regulations will still have to be adhered to.

Meanwhile, environmentalists and some people living in Worcester have welcomed the proposals.

Michael Coyne, who was the first person in Worcester to get planning permission to put solar panels on the roof of his home in Eastbank Drive, Northwick, said relaxing the planning process was good but he was worried it might turn into a "DIY nightmare" if it was not regulated properly.

Meanwhile, Rod Howell of Worcester Friends of the Earth said he welcomed the proposals "wholeheartedly" and said he was not worried it would have a detrimental effect on the environment.

"It's a positive move. You still have to make some sort of application but it's making the process a lot simpler and that has got to be good," he said.