Devil in the detail of planning white paper - Annette Brooke MP

9.33.13am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd May 2007

The Government's Planning White Paper published this week will weaken local democracy and make it easier for unwanted developments to be pushed through, according to Liberal Democrat MP Annette Brooke

Annette Brooke said;

"The Planning White Paper appears to say the right things. It promises a greater say for local people in planning, it promises to protect the environment, extend the green belt in some areas and it promises greater powers for communities to protect their high streets. However, the devil is in the detail.

"The Government would like us to think they're concerned about consultation but these proposals are all about streamlining the planning process - making it easier to push through decisions they know people will object to."

" Proposals to extend the Green Belt must be matched with action now. I hope that we will see Government working together at regional and national level to protect the existing Green Belt.This would mean that the proposals for 700 homes in the Green Belt in Corfe Mullen and the representation for development in the Western Sector in the vicinity of Lytchett Matravers should be thrown out following the current Examination in Public of the Regional Spatial Strategy

"I am disappointed that I have not been allowed to speak on behalf of my constituents at the Examination in Public. I will be watching the Examination in Public of the Regional Spatial Strategy very carefully and hope the Governments promise of Green Belt extensions does not turn out to be spin rather than substance." Added Annette.