Last year, thousands of people up and down the country responded to the Government's consultation on changes to the planning system. In fact, of 32,100 responses to the Planning White Paper, 31,000 came from members of the public. This shows that people care about planning.
Specifically, many people want the planning system to protect the countryside and other green spaces.
Following last year's consultation, a Planning Bill is now proceeding through Parliament. Unfortunately, despite the strong public response to the consultation, the proposals are still much better for big developers than for the environment.
The Bill will also make it harder for ordinary people to get involved in decisions on major development proposals.
The Planning Bill will return to the House of Commons for debate during February. May I urge your readers to contact their local MP.
MPs can make a difference - but time is running out!
- Shaun Spiers, Campaign to Protect Rural England
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