Hampshire civic chiefs slam new government planning bill

The new Planning and Infrastructure Bill had its first reading in Parliament on Tuesday, March 12; Labour hopes the legislation will help deliver its promise to build 1.5 million homes and make decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects by the next election.

The leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King, who also sits on Test Valley Borough Council for Blackwater ward, said: "I find the proposals in the Infrastructure and Planning bill wholly depressing.  This government seem to have declared war on the rural areas of our country. 

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Cllr Nick Adams-King and MP Kit Malthouse (Image: Various)

"Not content with destroying the ability of local councils to control development by doubling housing targets with no transition periods, allowing developers to ride roughshod over Local Plans as a result, they now plan to prolong that free for all by removing the ability of council planning committees to influence planning decisions.

"The consequence will be further over-development.  The bill has no mention of how infrastructure and services will be delivered to meet the increase in population and resulting needs.

"These proposals leave local residents and the councillors who represent them impotent in the face of the Government's headlong rush to concrete over our beautiful county."

The MP for North West Hampshire, Kit Malthouse, said: "We all agree that we need to build more homes, especially for our younger generations, but they must be properly thought through.

"Essentially, they need to be the right homes, in the right places, served by the appropriate infrastructure. We must make sure local people have a say in the decisions that will forever impact the area in which they live and know well.

"Here in North West Hampshire, we must work together to make sure developments are in keeping with our local character and, importantly, that our beautiful green belt and natural habitats are not recklessly concreted over.

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"It is possible to build more homes while protecting our communities at the same time - and I will labour this point as the bill progresses through Parliament."

According to the government' website, the new bill "will support delivery of the government’s hugely ambitious Plan for Change milestones of building 1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major economic infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament by speeding up and streamlining planning processes to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing.

"The bill will also support delivery of the government’s Clean Power 2030 target by ensuring that key clean energy infrastructure is built as quickly as possible."