Both rural campaigners and planners have raised concerns that communities were sidelined in yesterday’s amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
Peers had amended the Bill to mean new National Development Management Policies (NDMPs) would have to be reviewed through public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
MPs voted against the amendment, which countryside charity CPRE said allowed the Government to make decisions ‘without clear assurances as to how it will consult local people’, and with no consultation at all where it would be ‘urgent and expedient’ to adopt or amend policies.
CPRE head of policy and planning Paul Miner said: ‘This outrageous and underhanded power-grab resets any progress made to safeguard local democracy in planning decisions.
‘It could give government free rein to fast-track developments that damage the environment or amend local social housing targets – all while avoiding public or parliamentary scrutiny.’
MPs also voted against peers’ amendments for NDMPs to be in line with net zero and for councils to be allowed to hold meetings virtually.
Royal Town Planning Institute chief executive Victoria Hills said: ‘Without these important clauses in the Bill, we worry that these reforms will not produce a more democratic, transparent and community-led planning system.
‘This is a missed opportunity to transform our planning system for the greater good of society.’
The House of Lords will consider the amendments on 23 October.
