I believe it is vital that the Government works to reform elements of how we as a nation approach national infrastructure development. I recognise the need, where appropriate, to green-light nationally significant infrastructure projects to achieve economic growth – something the Government has so far only managed to stall.
However, I have significant reservations about aspects of this Bill. For example, the Government is determined to undermine local democracy, ignore local voices and take decision-making powers away from local councillors. We have already seen disproportionately high, top-down housing targets being imposed on rural communities and ministerial directives pushing power back towards Whitehall, undoing years of work to level-up the whole of the UK. I worry this could lead to the wrong decisions being taken by central Government, which will jeopardise the preservation of the natural environment we treasure here in Bexhill and Battle as well as the wider UK.
Through this Bill, the Government is going further by transferring powers away from local councillors and towards central and regional government regardless of the wishes of local people. This is particularly true of our area where we have had a Sussex devolution settlement agreed upon and which will be going ahead.
Considering that 96 per cent of planning applications are already decided by officers and 90 per cent of applications are approved, I fear this is the wrong approach to reforming the planning system. Local voices must play a key role in any planning decision, Whitehall shouldn’t be the only voice being heard. I believe that by shutting out local voices, the Government are opening the door to undermining protections for nature.
I recognise the Bill includes a range of other policy proposals that build on work started by the Conservatives when in government, including on nature, Judicial Review and Compulsory Purchase Orders.
I look forward to debating this Bill in the House of Commons and challenging the Government to make it fit for purpose, including through amendments as the Bill progresses, if necessary.
Kieran.