Today, the chancellor Rachel Reeves announced Labour’s plans to reform the planning system. This included plans to restore mandatory planning targets, to give more power to Government Ministers to intervene on local planning decisions and to create a new taskforce to accelerate stalled housing projects.
This new taskforce was said to be overseeing projects across the country, including a site at Worcestershire Parkway within the Droitwich and Evesham constituency. The four sites that were mentioned would collectively allow for 14,000 new homes to be built, meaning that the proposed size of the Worcestershire Parkway site would have a significant impact on the surrounding area and its infrastructure.
Responding to the announcement, Nigel Huddleston, the MP for the new constituency of Droitwich and Evesham said:
"During the election campaign I expressed grave concerns about Labour's instincts to make top down decisions that impact the countryside from offices in Whitehall and I am alarmed that within days of being elected, that is exactly what they appear to be doing. I believe that it is vitally important that local stakeholders keep a strong voice in decisions that affect the area that they know best.
While we all know we need more housing, it has to be in the right place, on the right scale and with appropriate supporting infrastructure - including transport, health and education services. The reason why the land around Worcestershire Parkway has not yet been developed is precisely because of such concerns - as expressed by existing local residents and others. Let's also be clear we are talking about building on fields, not previously developed land or brownfield sites here, too.
I can't comment much further until I have seen Labour's detailed proposals. I am always willing to work constructively across political parties on sensible ideas. But unless local views are taken into consideration and the location, scale and supporting infrastructure of their proposals are clear, they will not be getting my support. I shall be seeking further information and assurances from appropriate ministers in the coming weeks and would welcome views from local residents. Constituents can contact my office at [email protected]."
