New Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments: CPRE responds

Responding to the announcement of new amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “These eleventh hour amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill represent a dangerous erosion of democracy. They are an astounding capitulation to the same big developers that have consistently failed to deliver the homes people need.  

“The Housing Secretary claims that sluggish planning has ‘real world consequences’. So too would the removal of vital legal safeguards. Blocking judges from halting approvals while legal challenges proceed would allow unlawful projects to cause irreversible damage to communities, wildlife and the wider environment. 

“Giving ministers powers to override local council rejections further strips communities of their voice in decisions that affect their areas, as does restricting access to judicial review.  

“CPRE’s research shows there is enough brownfield land in England for more than 1.4 million new homes. It’s possible to build the affordable and sustainable homes people need while still protecting the countryside and nature. What’s required isn’t the removal of democratic safeguards, but a shake-up of our broken housing market and proper investment in a planning system that works for communities, not just big developers.”