The Private Member’s Bill which Alistair Lexden introduced in the Lords in early June was given its Second Reading on November 20. Known formally as the Direct Planning (Pilot) Bill, it would pave the way for the establishment of pilot schemes in designated areas to enable neighbourhood forums set up recently or other community groups to participate much more fully and directly than they can at present in developing planning policy.
The ideas which underlie the Bill have been conceived and developed by Create Streets, a small but influential non-partisan social enterprise and independent research institute. The Bill would enable people to influence the kind of new housing built in their areas rather than getting what planners think they want. It would reduce the cost of planning and encourage more building by creating positive local support for it.
The Bill was welcomed enthusiastically on the cross-benches and by Labour in the Lords. Speaking for the government, Baroness Williams of Trafford, a Minister at the Department of Communities and Local Government, expressed support for its aims and objectives and suggested discussions outside the chamber on the way ahead—an offer which Alistair Lexden accepted gratefully when he brought the debate to an end.
Follow the link to read to the short debate in full…. Hansard