Councillor Slams 'Draconian' Planning Reforms

A Bracknell councillor has called new Government planning reforms "a bit draconian", warning that taking decisions away from elected members could reduce local residents' influence over what is built in their communities.

Cllr Tony Virgo, a veteran member of Bracknell Forest Council's planning committee, said he was especially worried more decisions will be made by planning officers. From October 31 smaller applications - including developments of fewer than 10 homes and some extensions - will be delegated to officers and ward councillors will lose the right to refer minor applications to committee.

"The fact is the planning committee is made up of members who represent their residents," he said. "They are having a say on what should or shouldn't be built. If you take that away, you are taking away part of democracy."

"I think it's a terrible idea personally. I don't think it'll mean [councils] will build more houses," he added, saying his experience showed there are often good reasons for delays or challenges. "If we have held something up, there is a reason for that. There is a lot of animosity around planning."

He warned: "Taking power away from people and the public is a dictatorial decision. If you don't allow people to have their say, you build up resentment. It'll lead to the voting box in the end. It's all a bit draconian."

The changes follow reforms to the national planning system by the Labour Government, and councils must change procedures to reflect the new rules.

Virgo raised the issue at full council on September 9, asking the cabinet member for planning, transport and countryside, Cllr Guy Gillbe, whether councillors would have enough time to debate the changes before they are adopted.

Gillbe said he shared concerns about reducing councillors' role. "When the planning committee put in a response to the consultation along the lines of 'by reducing the role of the council in planning decisions, it is reducing the role of democracy of planning decisions', I fully endorse that view," he said. "I think councillors perform a vital role. They are that vital link between residents and how the planning process works."

He added the council needed to be "constructive with the proposals as they are, not how we would want them to be". Councillors will be briefed on the impact before the matter returns to full council in November.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter