Bob Neill responds to a debate in the Daily Mail about planning rules and the countryside
Our planning system reforms won’t create a planning free-for-all (as has been suggested in the Daily Mail). What they will do is put local people…
Our planning system reforms won’t create a planning free-for-all (as has been suggested in the Daily Mail). What they will do is put local people in charge of deciding areas they wish to see developed and those to be protected - done through Local Plans that will be sovereign, and drive planning decision-making. Our proposals state development needs to be sustainable and satisfy strong environmental safeguards that remain part of the planning system. We’re committed to the new homes and jobs we desperately need but not at the expense of the environment. We want to safeguard the natural environment and we have made this very clear in the draft planning framework, with strong protections for the Green Belt, ancient woodlands, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many other natural areas.
Bob Neill MP, Local Government
Minister, Department for Communities and Local Government