The Labour Government has designated Wychavon District Council under planning legislation, meaning developers of major housing schemes can now choose to bypass the local planning authority and submit applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate.
Many residents will be concerned that this could reduce the influence local communities have over decisions that shape the future of our towns, villages and countryside. When local people take the time to attend public meetings, submit comments, contact their councillors and campaign on issues affecting their area, they rightly expect those views to carry weight in the decision-making process.
Nigel Huddleston MP believes planning decisions should be made as close to local communities as possible and that local residents should continue to have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting where they live.
This survey has been launched to gather the views of residents across Wychavon on the Government's decision and the future of local democracy in the planning system.
The results will be used by Nigel Huddleston MP to demonstrate the strength of public feeling on this issue in representations to Ministers and Government officials, and to support calls for the designation to be reviewed and revoked if local residents believe their voice is being weakened.
Please take a few moments to complete the survey and make your views known.