Over 1,500 elected representatives sign open letter on proposed changes to the planning system

Defend local planning and ensure your community's voice is heard

An open letter hosted by CPRE, the countryside charity, and Friends of the Earth to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has already been signed by over 1500 elected representatives.

The open letter is about the government's proposed changes to the planning system, as announced in August 2020 in the White Paper - Planning for the Future.

It's open for signatures from currently-serving councillors and MPs from all political parties and will be sent to the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, at a later date. The purpose of the letter is to demonstrate the widespread concern at the local level about the government's plan.

It says:

'We believe that removing both the right of the public to be heard in person at local plan examinations, and many development control decisions from democratically elected planning committees, will lead to an unacceptable loss of local democracy, scrutiny and accountability and lead to worse outcomes for communities. This will inevitably reduce the trust that the public has in the planning system'.

Over 1,500 elected representatives have already signed on to the open letter. You can see the list of signatories here.

The letter is being hosted by CPRE, the countryside charity, and Friends of the Earth. If you would like to find out more about the campaign they are running in opposition to the government's proposals, or if you have any general questions, please email Sam Keyte: SamK@cpre.org.uk.

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