Planning

Planning

 

A number of my constituents have contacted me about the issue of development on the green belt land locally, and particularly at Coombes Farm, an issue which I understand why so many local people are passionate about. I want to briefly outline here my views on planning so that you can be clear where I stand on the issue of planning generally:

- I take a great interest in planning and development issues, and am particularly interested in the Government’s approach to planning, which I feel has taken decision making away from local communities. 

- I do not support the current system where we have an extra tier of regional planners, which I believe is both bureaucratic and undemocratic.

- However as the local Member of Parliament it is not my responsibility to make planning decisions, but the duty of local councillors.

- I still have my own views about the development, but I have been conscious to pass on my constituents views to the local Councillors for their information as well.

- I think that under this Government’s planning strategy, it is regional quangos, rather than local councils who are setting agendas on how many and where new homes are built. 

- I am also pleased that my colleagues in the Shadow Communities and Local Government team have outlined our plans to abolish the current system should Conservatives to come power this May.

- As you know, this current system is having serious consequences for our precious green belt land. 

- I therefore believe that if planning decisions were made on a more local level, then local communities would be able to decide the right level of development in their areas without the need to damage our countryside. 

- As a result I am against the proposals to build on the land at Coombes Farm. My primary objection to the proposals is that this land is green belt land, and moreover the site was not specified as a ‘preferred site’ in the recent Core Strategy put together by Rochford District Council.