MALVERN MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed new planning measures announced by the Government.
Last week planning minister Nick Boles set out further planning guidance to be used by local councils when considering planning applications.
Measures included robust guidance on flood risk, reaffirming green belt protection, ensuring infrastructure is provided to support new developments and clarifying when councils can consider refusing permission on the grounds of prematurity in relation to draft plans.
Mrs Baldwin has campaigned extensively to ensure draft local plans are taken into consideration when ruling on local planning applications and has met with the Minister, the chief planning inspector and held debates in Westminster on the critical issue.
“This is clear proof that the Government is listening and I hope that in the small print of this statement, local authorities will be cheered by these steps,” she said.
“Draft plans must now be considered in planning applications and I hope that this will help our local planning officers to get the right developments in the right places at the right times.
“Of course, it is now vital that the local planning inspector takes account of this new guidance and ensures that all speed is given to the completion of his assessment of the South Worcestershire Development Plan.”
