Planning

Planning reforms criticised as unsustainable

'The government's planning reforms have sparked concern that it leaves too much power in the hands of developers which could lead to unsustainable development.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/public-leaders-network/2011/aug/02/planning-reform-criticised-unsustainable?INTCMP=SRCH

Housing developers store up land ahead of planning reforms

'Housing developers are hoarding hundreds of thousands of plots of land ahead of proposed reforms to the planning laws.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertynews/8726999/Housing-developers-store-up-land-ahead-of-planning-reforms.html

A shameful way to treat rural Britain

'The Coalition is trying to railroad its national planning policy framework without debate.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/8733293/A-shameful-way-to-treat-rural-Britain.html

Coalition 'rush to sweep aside planning laws will put countryside in peril’

'Ministers have been accused of attempting to rush through radical reforms to planning laws that pose the greatest threat to the countryside since the Second World War.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8734277/Coalition-rush-to-sweep-aside-planning-laws-will-put-countryside-in-peril.html

I must admit to having major concerns over how these changes might pan out for the future. The stringent process of regulation over land use and building is in place for a very good reason - to protect both community and environment from inappropriate development.

One only has to consider the recent Nocton Dairies Ltd application and the potential it had to blight the local area. One can also consider the unwelcome illegal traveller site at Cray's Hill, Essex and the effect it has had on the local law-abiding village community. Imagine for one moment how the old Nocton Hospital site could be developed, possibly into a large housing estate or a large business park, without the infrastructure to support such a concern... or illegally developed.

Without robust planning law, developers will gain an inordinate amount of power, as will those who are tempted to ignore the statutory frameworks that are in place for the protection of other citizens. If this change to planning is rushed through without proper debate, then ask yourself the question:

Are we simply storing up problems for the future leaving an appalling legacy for our kids to sort out, or is this an innovative solution to kickstart the UK's economy?

New planning laws already in force

'Planners have been told to start approving developments on the basis of the Coalition’s controversial new planning guidelines, despite ministers offering to reword the legislation before it comes into force.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8745764/New-planning-laws-already-in-force.html

How the proposed planning reforms make a mockery of us

'The draft planning document is the most blatant product of corporate power that this government has yet produced.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2011/sep/08/planning-reforms-mockery

Planning reforms: fee threat to village greens

'Communities would have to pay up to £1,000 to apply to save their green spaces from the developers’ bulldozers under plans to speed up the planning process, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8751228/Planning-reforms-fee-threat-to-village-greens.html

Planning reforms: 'stop locals resisting developers'

'Local residents are not meant to be able to “resist” new developments under the Coalition’s controversial planning reforms, one of the authors of the new rules has said.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8758881/Planning-reforms-stop-locals-resisting-developers.html

Planning

'I am very concerned about the proposed changes in planning, which I think have serious risks. The current planning system has an overall plan for the District so there is balance. The vast majority of applications are passed, and just a few contentious ones go to committee. It is never perfect, which is why the human intervention of elected representatives is critically important. Having a presumption in favour of development in the open countryside and contrary to the current plan seems a step backwards and I hope it will be changed to avoid damaging what we most appreciate.

Marianne Overton - Lincolnshire Independents (September 2011 Newsletter)

Cameron pledge to National Trust over countryside

'David Cameron has defended plans to simplify the planning system, saying they aimed to balance environmental and social benefits with economic ones.'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14997893

David Cameron's letter to National Trust in full

'David Cameron, the Prime Minister, has written to the National Trust to attempt to reassure its members who are campaigning against proposed changes to planning laws.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8777913/David-Camerons-letter-to-National-Trust-in-full.html

Planning reforms already having an impact on countryside

'Controversial planning reforms are already being used to approve building developments that will result in rural countryside being concreted over.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8786642/Planning-reforms-already-having-an-impact-on-countryside.html
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