Residents will be aware that I am campaigning to ensure our planning policy protects our communities and green belt. From responses to initial Government consultations, to my Private Member’s Bill last year, I have been making sure your voice is heard: proposals which would harm our local area have been rejected, and I am now pressing Government to ensure planning rules are strengthened to ensure swifter action can be taken against rogue developers seeking to subvert the planning system for personal gain.
National legislation
During the debate on my Planning (Enforcement) Bill last year the Government acknowledged the importance of addressing these issues and expressed support for bringing in new powers to strengthen the planning enforcement process. 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.
The Bill was withdrawn to enable time to further explore a number of technical issues that were raised during the debate, but work has continued and I am delighted that the Government have accepted one of my proposals as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. This will now enable the creation of a national planning database so local authorities can share information on planning issues more easily.
To build on this, I have tabled three amendments to the Bill which would add the additional provisions from my Private Member’s Bill. If accepted these would increase the penalties for those who repeatedly and intentionally flout the law and allow local authorities take previous planning breaches into account when determining new applications. Listed as New Clauses (NC) 9, 10 and 11, there are available here.
I will be seeking support from colleagues across Parliament for these measures, and will be campaigning throughout the passage of the Bill to have these provisions entered into the Bill.
Local planning policy
The planning process, while complex, shapes the communities we live in. It is therefore essential that both national and local planning policy is robust and strikes the right balance between enabling development we need, and protecting the right of residents, the character of our towns and villages, and our natural environment.
As part of this I would urge residents to have their say in shaping local planning policy. Residents in Elmbridge may be aware that the Elmbridge Local Plan has entered its last stage of public engagement before the Draft Plan is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. I would encourage all local residents to engage with this process, full details of which are available here: https://consult.elmbridge.gov.uk/reg19/consultationHome
I will continue to work on your behalf to ensure planning policy protects our communities, delivering sustainable development, maintains local participation and tackles those who would exploit our natural environment for personal gain. To find more about my campaign you can visit www.stoproguedevelopment.com, or you can sign up to my newsletter for regular updates here: www.runnymedeandweybridge.news
