Local Government Questions: Planning Process
15th July 2010
During Communities and Local Government Question Time in the House of Commons, Peter Aldous asks what steps the Government are taking to ensure that as well as taking account the demands of local communities, the new planning process will also ensure an efficient supply of housing and employment land?
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): What steps is the Department taking to ensure that the planning process not only responds to the demands of local communities, but provides an efficient supply of housing and employment land?
The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark): We are getting rid of the Soviet-style planning system-repealing Gosplan-precisely so that local communities such as my hon. Friend's can get together in the right way. For example, there is no sense in linking his area with Hertford because that is not a natural economic area and it is difficult to plan employment in such a way. His community is now free to liaise with neighbouring authorities, as it always should have been.