The government is facing a backlash from local councillors – including more than 350 Conservatives –over its proposals to shake up the planning system. More than 2,000 councillors from across England have signed an open letter to the housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, calling on him to rethink the plans. Ministers want to overhaul the planning system, which they say is necessary to boost the building of high-quality, sustainable homes, by streamlining the process, cutting red tape and harnessing technology. Councillors have said the plans will undermine local democracy by removing the public’s right to be heard in person at local plan examinations and taking away development decisions from elected planning committees. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/10/backlash-government-overhaul-planning-system-tory-england