72% of councillors think planning system is undemocratic
I don’t think there is any discipline in local government in England where those responsible for making important decisions are more confused and contradictory in terms of their powers. This article reinforces that view it tells us:
Councillors in England think that the planning system works in the interests of developers over councils and local communities, according to new survey.
The survey of 1,200 ward councillors in England was carried out by think tank Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and commissioned by the National Trust.
According to the findings, 72 per cent of councillors think that the planning system is too weighted in favour of developers, at the expense of local communities.
In addition, half of those asked suggested that sites that are not in line with the local plan are being approved for housing, while the same percentage think planning departments are not adequately resourced. 36 per cent said that it is adequately resourced.
Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive at the LGiU, said: “The planning system is one of the fundamental pillars of local democracy, allowing communities to help shape the physical structure of the places they live. Councillors are the most important link between communities and that system. Our survey with the National Trust shows that many councillors feel that this democratic tool is at risk of being undermined.”