Councillors challenge new planning rules

Hundreds of local councillors are challenging the Government over its proposals to shake up the planning system.

More than 2,000 councillors have signed an open letter to Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick callingonhim to rethink the plans.

Ministers want to overhaul the system, which they say is necessary to boost the building of sustainable homes, by streamlining the process, cutting red tape and harnessing technology.

It also aims to deliver much quicker development, replace the planning process with a clearer, rules-based system, protect green spaces by allowing more building on brownfield land and create zones for growth,

But councillors have warned that the plans will undermine democracy by removing local people's right to be heard in person at local plan examinations and taking away decisions from planning committees.

They also warn that a zoning system could radically reduce protections for nature, fail to tackle climate change, and put additional pressure on greenfield sites. The letter states: "The right development, in the right place has the potential to deliver social equity and sustainable economic growth, as well as meeting our environmental ambitions.

"The Government's proposals as they stand will not achieve these goals."

Crispin Truman, chief executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which hosted the letter with Friends of the Earth, said: "Investing in a locally led democratic planning system should be the Government's top priority.”