Labour MP hits back at complaints about new planning rules

Labour MP Alex Ballinger says new planning rules which remove councillors’ right to ‘call-in’ applications for committee decisions will unblock the system.

Mr Ballinger was responding to complaints from Belle Vale councillor Simon Phipps about regulations which will come into force at the end October.

Cllr Phipps signed a joint letter from Conservative councillors to the Prime Minister calling for a U-turn to scrap the policy.

Cllr Phipps said: “The changes will make local councillors almost powerless to challenge unacceptable planning applications in our area. Our right to ask that a decision is made by elected councillors is being removed, so more decisions will be made by unelected officers.

“This is part of the Labour government’s developers’ charter, which our local MP Alex Ballinger is seemingly in complete support for.

“Remember, before being elected he told us that Halesowen’s green belt will be safe, but now he’s in power his government is going to reclassify swathes of the countryside as “grey” belt so it can be built on.”

Mr Ballinger responded he was happy to discuss issues with councillors and was aware of their concerns about the National Scheme of Delegation, which will see almost all applications determined by council planning officers.

Only the biggest proposed developments, plans submitted by councils themselves and applications which meet strict criteria will be put before councillors on planning committees

Mr Ballinger said: “The National Scheme of Delegation introduces a consistent, national framework for planning decisions, under which council officers handle applications by default, with defined criteria for elevating cases to elected planning committees.

“These changes will reduce deadlocks and backlogs in planning processes and make decisions more consistent.

“National planning reform is important for renewing our railways, modernising the grid, and re-building our housing stock and industrial capacity.

“At the same time, the government is giving councils new powers to block unwanted gambling premises and vape shops, giving local communities more say over their high streets.

“I am following these reforms closely in Parliament and will always advocate for our area.”

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service