3 February 2015
Planning is a major concern for many of us. That’s why I sought to address these concerns at a recent meeting organised by the Mattishall Matters campaign group, particularly over Paragraph 49 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
As I set out below in a letter published in the EDP on Saturday, I believe that it is important for local communities to be able to shape their own future through local plans, moving away from the ‘command and control’ system we saw under the previous Government.
LOCAL PLANS
EDP letter (31.01.15)
I very much agree with Mr Norton (January 14th) that rural planning is very different from other forms of planning. That’s why, eight years ago, I set up The Norfolk Way, a not for profit campaign to promote the importance of a vibrant rural economy. It’s also why I’m delighted that, as a result of the voice of local residents and the work of local Breckland Cllrs Paul Claussen and Brian Rose supported by myself, Gladman’s application for 90 homes south of Dereham Road in Mattishall has just been rejected by Breckland District Council.
As I heard at the recent meeting, many people are concerned that paragraph 49 of the National Planning Policy Framework is being used by developers around the country as a loophole to force inappropriate development. As I pledged at the meeting, I will work with other MPs to take those concerns back to Ministers in Westminster to review this particular clause and see whether there is a case for it to be amended so that this loophole is closed.
The Localism Act replaced Labour’s ‘top down’ ‘command and control’ system of London telling each area how many houses it must build with power returning to elected local councils. I believe Planning should be driven by local communities in Local Plans. Controversial and inappropriate applications can help galvanise communities like Mattishall to shape their own future. I’m encouraging all our villages and towns to develop local Neighbourhood Plans, and will do all I can to ensure the Planning system respects them.
As I set out below in a letter published in the EDP on Saturday, I believe that it is important for local communities to be able to shape their own future through local plans, moving away from the ‘command and control’ system we saw under the previous Government.
LOCAL PLANS
EDP letter (31.01.15)
I very much agree with Mr Norton (January 14th) that rural planning is very different from other forms of planning. That’s why, eight years ago, I set up The Norfolk Way, a not for profit campaign to promote the importance of a vibrant rural economy. It’s also why I’m delighted that, as a result of the voice of local residents and the work of local Breckland Cllrs Paul Claussen and Brian Rose supported by myself, Gladman’s application for 90 homes south of Dereham Road in Mattishall has just been rejected by Breckland District Council.
As I heard at the recent meeting, many people are concerned that paragraph 49 of the National Planning Policy Framework is being used by developers around the country as a loophole to force inappropriate development. As I pledged at the meeting, I will work with other MPs to take those concerns back to Ministers in Westminster to review this particular clause and see whether there is a case for it to be amended so that this loophole is closed.
The Localism Act replaced Labour’s ‘top down’ ‘command and control’ system of London telling each area how many houses it must build with power returning to elected local councils. I believe Planning should be driven by local communities in Local Plans. Controversial and inappropriate applications can help galvanise communities like Mattishall to shape their own future. I’m encouraging all our villages and towns to develop local Neighbourhood Plans, and will do all I can to ensure the Planning system respects them.
