THE Government’s proposed changes to planning law will see sweeping changes to the laws which control development.

The recent consultation attracted over 10,000 responses, proving this is a hot topic. In my response I raised my concerns that the new National Planning Policy Framework will favour developers whilst failing to give adequate opportunity for local people to have their say. Allowing developers free rein shows a blatant disregard for local opinion.

Removing the prioritisation of brownfield sites for development will add to pressure to build on precious greenfield sites. The Government’s new plans will remove the requirement to look for a town centre site before creating an out-of-town development. Building outside towns threatens the viability of local shopping streets and creates a need for more travel, which increases already dangerously high levels of air pollution.

Failure to meet both the air pollution and climate change targets will open up the UK to hundreds of millions of pounds in EU fines at a time when finances are already tight. I hope your readers will join me in urging the Government to think again.

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for South East England