Today’s Second Reading debate of the Planning (Enforcement) Bill showed the strength of feeling, the impact that serious breaches have on our communities and Green Belt, and the need for the measures in the Bill. As one colleague today highlighted, there is a clear sense of urgency to ensure this is addressed.
The full debate is available here (start time 11.03.10). You can also watch my speech proposing the legislation above.
I am delighted that the Government have acknowledged the importance of addressing these issues, and expressed support for bringing in new powers to strengthen the planning enforcement process and for Local Planning Authorities. In his response, the Minister acknowledged that the issues highlighted are problems we must solve, and noted the level of interest and support the issues had.
I have acknowledged throughout this campaign to strengthen planning enforcement that these are incredibly complicated and long standing issues that I, and everyone who supports the campaign, have been seeking to address. It is essential that the solutions we put forward can really make a difference, and are invulnerable to the abuse of the system we currently see.
A number of technical issues were raised during the debate which will need to be addressed to achieve this. I therefore withdrew the Bill in its current form, and will continue to work with the Government and colleagues to bring back proposals once these issues have been addressed.
I am grateful the Government have committed to take forward some of the measures in the Bill as part of their ongoing review of planning and upcoming reforms. They have a clear aim to strengthen the planning enforcement process and make it easier for LPAs to tackle deliberate planning breaches.
It is essential that we take the time now to get this right. Today's debate is by no means the end of this campaign to strengthen planning enforcement and tackle rogue development. I again wish to thank everyone who contributed to the debate and work so far to address this issue, and look forward to building on the incredible strength of support as we take this forward.
