Reform to ‘call in’ approach to large housing developments “undermines” local democracy: District Council

Writing in a letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Braintree's leader, Graham Butland, urged the Government to rethink the proposal which was first announced in November last year.

Under the new measure, local planning authorities would be required to inform the Government when they are inclined to block applications of 150 homes or more.

The Government said this requirement would allow ministers to decide whether to step in and make the decision instead.

However, Cllr Butland outlined "serious concerns" in his letter, warning that that proposal could lead to poor quality homes being built without local oversight.

He wrote: “The objection to this proposal is not raised in order to allow the Council to find a reason to undermine the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes by the next parliament.

"Rather, the objection is raised on the basis that this proposal would undermine local decision-making and local democracy.”

The letter added: "Moreover, whilst the Council recognises the importance of delivering new homes, this should not be at the expense of providing new residents with high quality places to live or failing to ensure there is a good level of benefits arising from schemes including providing mitigation in the form of enhanced key local services for all our residents.

"Any actions which remove the ability of the Council to properly consider applications could undermine these aims."

He also said "it has too often been the case" that permissions granted on appeal leave important details to be dealt with through conditions rather than requiring more detail up front, which allows planning authorities to hold developers to account on the quality of the buildings they construct.

Adam Carey