Release of new Planning Bill19 October 2012
The Government has just released its new Planning Bill - called the Growth and Infrastructure Bill
Simply put the new bill gives the Secretary of State more planning powers to bypass local council decisions.
The planning reforms completely undermine the principle that planning is based on consent.
These reforms will ride roughshod over communities and totally ignore climate change and the wider environment.
Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor
In the attempt to fast-track developments for economic growth, the Government is willing to ignore local democracy and community voices.
This runs the risk of only economically benefitting a few developers instead of the many communities across England.
By taking more decisions into his own hands, the Secretary of State is showing what he really thinks of localism.
Naomi Luhde-Thompson, Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor
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