Lib Dems blast bid to reform planning system

THE West Berkshire Liberal Democrats have slammed the Government’s plans for a radical reform of the planning system, saying the proposed changes will do nothing to alleviate the housing ‘crisis’ in West Berkshire.

The Lib Dems believe the proposals will not help the estimated 1,700 people who are stuck on the housing waiting list in the district.

The Government’s white paper is set to reform the planning system – which Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described as ‘outdated’ – by speeding up the decisionmaking process so homes can be built quicker where they are needed the most.

The reforms include redrawing local plans produced by the local planning authority (LPA) so that land would fall into only one of three categories – growth, renewal or protected.

Planning would be ‘automatically secured’ for areas categorised for growth.

Some development would be allowed in renewal areas, but it would be restricted in protected zones.

However, the West Berkshire Lib Dems fear that the zoning proposal risks “leaving whole areas behind”.

Instead, the party is calling for an urgent house-building programme, with proposals to build 100,000 social homes for rent every year.

Liberal Democrat planning spokesperson for West Berkshire Tony Vickers said: “Across our district, more than 1,700 families are stuck on the housing waiting list.

“This is unacceptable.

“With councils across the country approving nine out of 10 planning applications, it is obvious that reforming planning laws will not help people on waiting lists struggling to afford a home in West Berkshire.

“The Liberal Democrats want to see 100,000 new social homes built every year, and for every local housing authority to have the power to suspend the right to buy, so that we can finally start tackling the housing crisis in West Berkshire.

“This local planning authority has been at the forefront of making good Local Development Plans – unlike almost half of the LPAs in England, which have never produced one.

“The Government should deal with that problem before they make yet another reform to the planning system.

“And the development industry must pay for all that it costs LPAs to manage the system.”