Civic Society asks: Are some local authorities deliberately obstructing neighbourhood planning?

 According to their press release, “Civic Voice”

“is the national charity for the civic movement. It works to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and promotes civic pride. They speak up for civic societies and local communities across England. They believe everyone should live somewhere they can be proud of and they know how people feel about places because they feel the same way. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010 Civic Voice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members”.

PRESS RELEASE

Show us the evidence that local authorities are deliberately obstructing the implementation of neighbourhood planning policy in their local areas. This was the call made during a debate of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies at Portcullis House on 29th October

Laura Sandys MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies said “Where civic groups and others know of authorities that are obstructing the neighbourhood planning process, they should inform Civic Voice so that they can inform me. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies and and Civic Voice are regularly in touch with the Planning Minister and while I understand some areas have difficulties with resources, I am not aware of places where real deliberate obstruction is taking place. If there is, we want to know”

During the meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies, questions were posed to the Department for Communities and Local Government and Roberta Blackman-Woods MP (Shadow Planning Minister) about community involvement in planning with issues covered neighbourhood planning, permitted development and the community infrastructure levy.

Freddie Gick, the newly elected Chair of Civic Voice said “I accept that some authorities may be under resourced or lack the necessary skills to support neighbourhood planning. If this is the case, the Government should be offering more support. However, if local councils are trying to obstruct neighbourhood planning, I would encourage groups to feedback to us with examples. We can then share this with the Minister.”

Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk