This morning I contributed to a Westminster Hall Debate on 'The Role of Neighbourhood Plans in Planning Decisions'.
The last Government built on the achievements of the coalition which introduced the Localism Act 2011, making it a statutory requirement for local authorities to support and advise communities on neighbourhood planning.
Schedule 9 of the Act created a framework through which parish and town councils, neighbourhood forums and community organisations (in other words, local voices) could lead the charge in designing development plans.
Conservatives believe that power should be delegated to the local level - residents views should be heard, respected and acted upon.
Sadly, this Government wants to sideline local people and centralise control. Their changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, their "grey belt" policy and now the Planning and Infrastructure bill are systematically removing voices from the process. They want the decisions about the future of our towns, villages and green spaces to be determined in Whitehall.
Watch the clip to hear my full speech.
