Andrew Turner has criticised proposals in a Planning White Paper to bring in changes to planning rules which will weaken the say of local communities. The Island’s MP is worried that a new centralised planning quango would take decisions on the location of facilities such as incinerators, sewage plants and landfill sites with little understanding of local circumstances or taking into account the views of Island residents. It is also proposed that the new quango will be given powers for the compulsory purchase of land.

Mr Turner said
“These proposals provide for new unelected ‘planning commissioners’ who will serve a fixed term of eight years and who will never be accountable to voters for their decisions. They will be a team of unsackable bureaucrats who will have no need to take account of public opinion. Controls on out of town developments will also be weakened under these proposals leading to more supermarkets at the expense of small shops and local high streets.”

Mr Turner was more positive about the proposals to make it easier for small extensions and improvements to private properties, provided that proper opportunities remained for neighbours and others affected to object and importantly, for their objections to be properly considered. He went on to say :

“The planning system has become snarled up in red tape and bureaucracy with even small and uncontroversial changes to homes taking months to go through and taking up a great deal of officer’s time. I agree that the planning system needs reform but it is the views of local people should be heard and the process must be both democratic and accountable.”

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Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808