The Government has vowed to speed up the delivery of major infrastructure projects, slash planning red tape for householders, and tackle climate change through planning. But the planning White Paper, released this week, has attracted criticism, with claims it is bad news for the environment, communities and democracy. Communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, hopes to scrap large planning inquiries to make way for an independent planning commission. Cllr Keith Mitchell, chairman of the South East County Leaders, slammed the move, saying ministers seemed ‘determined to appoint their own un-elected quango to bulldoze their way through democracy'. And Essex CC leader, Lord Hanningfield, added: ‘This is taking choice and decision-making from Essex residents. This goes against everything the council is working for.' Despite the negative fallout, Ms Kelly promised communities would continue to be involved in consultation. ‘There are parts of the current system which can be costly, confusing and inaccessible for local people,' said Ms Kelly. ‘We need a simpler system which is quicker, but locks in community consultation at every stage of the process.' She added that councils would benefit from a simplified local planning system, allowing them to focus on strategic priorities such as building more homes and tackling climate change. If the independent commission evolves, the Local Government Association insisted it must be limited to matters of ‘genuine national importance', incorporate strong roles for local councils and their communities, and counter the perception it will lead to development ‘regardless of environmental consequences'. LGA chairman Lord Bruce Lockhart added: ‘The Government must show how its proposals will avoid undermining environmental goals and the voices of local councils.'
