Government Planning Policy revamp: "Not good enough", say local Lib Dems

Following the government launching a revamp of national planning policy, local Lib Dems have warned that the changes do not go far enough.   

Plumpton and East Chiltington Cllr Rob Banks said: "The Conservative government created this mess in planning policy when it changed the rules meaning that councils like Lewes District, which did have a Local Plan agreed to guide future development until 2030, were forced to write a new one with double the housing numbers.

He added: "It was this government rule change which unleashed speculative proposals such as the Nolands Farm development - forced through by the government - and has raised the threat of potential sites such as the Eton College land, which local Lib Dems continue to oppose".  

Lib Dem Cllr and Parliamentary Campaigner James MacCleary said: "The Lib Dem win in Chesham and Amersham last year from the Tories forced a re-think on planning policy but more needs to be done. We need to provide for local need – not developer greed. For example they must make it easier for councils to build new council housing. 

"The Government say that targets for each area have been scrapped - but that is not true, councils will still be asked to use this target as a 'starting point'", he added.

Local Lib Dems say to help protect our green spaces while ensuring we provide affordable housing that meets local need, the following steps must be taken:

• For local councils to be able to decide what is appropriate locally rather than have to use an out of date government formula.  
• Government to do more to support councils in providing genuinely affordable housing, be that council, housing association or community land trust and reform the "right to buy"   
• Neighbourhood Plans to be given full power for the same time period as a Local Plan and not 2 years as currently happens  
• For brownfield land to be given priority