Planning Reform Threatens Right To Be Heard

Paul Holmes, Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield has spoken out against government proposals to reform the planning system that could threaten the public's right to have a say in major new developments.

Currently, people can challenge planning applications for new roads, airports, nuclear power stations, nuclear waste sites, and incinerators, but the proposed reforms, detailed in a Planning White Paper in May, could remove the right to challenge such projects at public inquiry.

The Government wants to switch decision-making on large developments from elected politicians to an unaccountable planning commission.

Paul Holmes MP, who on Tuesday 10 July attended a meeting with environmental and civic NGOs in the House of Commons to highlight concerns about the White Paper, said: "Any reform of the planning system needs to properly reflect the views of the communities most affected by major developments.

Many of my constituents would be angry if, for example, an airport was forced upon them. If people's views are not taken into account in the decision-making process this will make a mockery of local democracy.

The Government needs to allay these fears by ensuring proper accountability and the public's right to be heard. Ministers must also guarantee full protection for the wider environment, which has been a strong feature of the existing planning process.

On Tuesday I raised these concerns in the House of Commons to the Minister for Local Government."

Planning Disaster, a coalition of leading environment groups, has been formed to fight the proposed reforms. Co-ordinator Owen Espley said:

The government must wake up and realise that taking decisions on major developments away from elected representatives and giving these powers to an unelected quango is not democratic."