Published on the BBC News website on Monday 5th November 2012
By Roger Harrabin, Environment analyst
Campaigners have accused the government of creating a developers’ charter with its Growth and Infrastructure Bill being debated in the Commons later.
The government says the bill is needed to stimulate development.
But critics say it betrays ministers’ promises to leave planning decisions to be made at local level.
They say it will rush through greenfield schemes for business and housing against the wishes of people living nearby.
Ministers have been persuaded that the planning system causes unnecessary delays to projects that will help the economy and create jobs.
The bill will create a fast-track for large-scale business and commercial projects which will allow decisions to be taken within 12 months.
Decisions on business and retail parks in future may be taken by the secretary of state in the first instance.
It will allow developers to submit plans directly to the national Planning Inspectorate where councils have a track record of poor performance.
Continue reading Campaigners angry at Growth and Infrastructure Bill
Follow Havant FOE