Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament of Bosworth, has urged his constituents and groups across the community to complete an open consultation on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill – a way to strengthen planning law to protect communities from inappropriate development.
Dr Evans has called on the Government to put stronger protections in place for Neighbourhood Plans as he led a Westminster Hall Debate on the need for reforms last year. The MP said “we need from our planning system the ability to deliver the right houses, in the right place, with the right amenities likes GP surgeries and school places, while protecting our environment and keeping in tune with the heritage, and so I am pleased to see at a national level work is taking place to ensure that”.
Within the consultation people are urged to have their say on a host of reforms to national planning policy. One of which is proposing additional protections for Neighbourhood Plans, such as extending protection to Plans that are up to five years old instead of the current two years.
The Government has been strong in their desire to see communities take back control of planning in their area with Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Housing and Levelling-Up, saying “this Bill [is] strengthening local leadership and reforming our planning system in order to put neighbourhoods firmly in control” the day after Dr Evans’ debate.
Borough Councils are responsible for implementing and updating Local Plans, deciding planning applications and enforcing against breaches. Currently Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council does not have an up to date local plan, as a result the area is vulnerable to speculative development in places where the community aren’t happy. Dr Evans said “the failure of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to produce an up-to-date Local Pan means Neighbourhood plans, implemented by hard-working local groups who are passionate about our area, are ridden roughshod over” as speculative developments are forced through.
In their 2019 General Election manifestos both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrat parties pledged to build 300,000 new homes per year across the nation, with Labour not setting a target. In 2021 the Leader of the Lib Dems, Sir Ed Davey, said “our local authorities do want more houses” as they increased the target to 380,000 homes per year.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said: “Our area is a desirable place to live. We have beautiful rural countryside, excellent local transport routes, schools and amenities. But the issue our community faces is that, without an up-to-date Local Plan and the current piecemeal approach to planning, it is open season for developers.
“Because of these speculative developments we now have huge problems to solve in providing the infrastructure, amenities and services we need. Multiple groups across our area – including the efforts of hard working groups in Market Bosworth, Markfield, Stoke Golding and Burbage – have been instrumental in creating Neighbourhood Plans.
“These are important tools which enable the community to decide where new housing should go. But at crux of it, without an up-to-date Local Plan from the Borough Council, they’re being ridden roughshod over.
“What I believe is simple: we need a planning system that is fit for the 21st Century and therefore I am pleased the Government is bringing in these changes nationally, which I have campaigned for. We all know there’s a housing crisis in the UK. Young people are struggling to get on the housing ladder and there’s a shortage of homes for older generations to downsize to. But – and this is crucial – these homes must be in the right place.
“Local residents have worked hard to put together Neighbourhood Plans, I’ve been lobbying Ministers for stronger protections, the Government are doing their part by bringing forward legislation but now it’s time for the Liberal Democrats in charge of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to protect our area and produce an up-to-date Local Plan.”
Complete the consultation via: https://consult.levellingup.gov.uk/planning-policy-and-reform/levelling-up-and-regeneration-bill-reforms-to-nati/
