A fast-track planning process is set to benefit a wide range of development projects, Nick Boles has announced.

The Planning Minister claims football stadiums, car plants and exhibition centres are among those that will reap the rewards of a quicker system.

Until now, only nationally significant infrastructure projects - such as transport and energy schemes - have gained from the fast-track system.

But the extension means the most significant business and commercial projects across the country that deliver jobs and boost the economy will also benefit.

Mr Boles believes the new fast-track measure has the potential to save business tens of thousands of pounds in planning fees and reduce the planning process by months.

"We are determined to help bring about new investment and jobs," he said. "Making sure businesses can have confidence in quicker and better planning decisions is an important part of that.

"Opening up the fast-track system will help get sustainable development underway sooner and minimise delays that only bring uncertainty for local people and businesses looking to create jobs."

Manufacturing and processing developments are to be included under the system, along with leisure, tourism, sports and recreation projects.

Offices and research and development centres; warehousing, storage and distribution sites; conference and exhibition centres; and aggregate and industrial minerals are also set to benefit under the new proposals.

Previously the nationally significant infrastructure regime was only open to development covering transport, energy, water, waste and waste water.

The changes would mean developers can ask for their application to be determined at a national level through the infrastructure planning system, therefore ensuring all decisions are made within 12 months from the beginning of examination.

Existing requirements to consult local communities will also be retained under the reforms, which aim to address potential barriers to investment.

Introducing the fast-track system to a wider range of developments is part of a package of government measures to improve planning in the country.

Other measures include reducing confusing and overlapping red tape, and cutting the number of consents required by developers and the number of bodies needing to be consulted on every application.

Opening up a streamlined 'one-stop-shop' Consents Service Unit is also on the agenda, as is introducing a simpler, streamlined planning processes to boost firms in the 24 Enterprise Zones.