They have dubbed Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick’s sweeping reforms to the planning process a “developers’ charter” and argued it could lead to slum housing in town and city centres. Labour said new powers already issued by the Government will allow empty shops to be demolished and converted into housing without the need for planning permission, while two-storey property extensions will be approved automatically. The streamline reforms have caused unease within Tory ranks, with fears that local concerns will be ignored in order to build more quickly. But Labour said changes already made by ministers before the summer recess, in the form of statutory instruments which are not put to a vote by MPs, show a disregard for local scrutiny. Planning permission for the east London development was later reversed after the Cabinet minister, who faced calls to resign over his handling of the application, admitted “bias” following contact with former newspaper magnate Mr Desmond.

Source: Daily Mirror September 29, 2020 22:52 UTC