Last month the Government launched the ‘Planning for the Future’ consultation to reform the planning system in England. Kemi Badenoch, the member of parliament for the Saffron Walden constituency is calling on residents to engage with the consultation before the deadline given the decisions will be made based on the responses the government receives.
Commenting Mrs Badenoch said: “I welcome the fact the government is looking again at planning. However, to help shape the proposals to meet the needs of our constituency, it is absolutely critical that we engage in significantly large numbers.”
The radical reforms proposed aim to address a number of issues highlighted by MPs and residents all over the country. The proposals intend to make planning simpler, clearer, quicker to navigate and most importantly for the Saffron Walden constituency, reinforce developers’ obligations to fund infrastructure - such as schools, roads and GP surgeries.
She added: “Since my election in 2017, local groups and individuals alike have expressed to me their frustrations with the current planning system, frustrations which I have continued to raise with government Ministers. These have included a lack of focus on design, little incentive for high quality new homes and developers dodging their obligations to improve infrastructure, amongst others.
“It is clear our current system is outdated and ineffective as evident here in Uttlesford, which is now once again without an adopted local plan and has seen a consistent increase in speculative development. This is simply not good enough.
I have also written to every parish council in the constituency requesting that they make their views heard and also promote the consultation within their community”
To view the proposals and find out how to respond to the consultation, visit: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future
