Thread by @IoWBobSeely

This afternoon, myself and others will set out the case for #planning reform.

#LevellingUp #LURB #Housing @michaelgove @lucyfrazermp @luhc @PA @thetimes @timesredbox

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thetimes.co.uk/article/e350a9…

For sure, we don’t like top-down targets. But most of all, we want a better way of doing things: a planning system with #communities, regeneration and the environment at its heart.

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We want a planning system that is environmentally #sustainable, rooted in community support and used to regenerate out towns and cities, not hollow them out.

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For example, many of us want a ‘use it or lose it rule’ to stop developers ‘land-banking’. The reason we don’t build enough isn’t because Councils refuse or because pesky NIMBYs block things, but because property companies sit on permissions for years.

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The result? Land value & house prices remain high, along with developers’ share prices and bosses’ bonuses. Anyone who thinks that giving developers another 100k planning permissions will result in 100k more homes needs a reality check.

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Another example: many of us want stronger compulsory purchase powers for councils - hopefully to be debated today – to force the use or sale of long-term derelict or unused buildings, especially ones important to communities.

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Communities should also have the right to oppose developments based on developers’ track record & character. Why should those who engage in environmental vandalism, ignore residents or repeatedly fail to develop property, not be challenged on their track record?

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We want more powers for neighbourhood plans, because we know communities that engage more welcome more housing, because they feel they have shaped the process. Conservatives should oppose distant & top down, but embrace grass-roots & bottom up!

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We also want to close loopholes that see caravan parks crammed into National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. So, are we NIMBYs? Well, my definition of NIMBY is someone who is a local patriot. But either way, it’s become a loaded term used to smear opponents.

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The planning system needs reform. We want to work with everyone to improve it. As our communities’ representatives, we need to speak for them. We seek a better, fairer planning system, with communities, regeneration and a truly sustainable environment at its heart.

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