North Warwickshire and Bedworth’s Member of Parliament Craig Tracey met with Brandon Lewis, the Housing Minister to express local concerns over housing and planning.
The Local MP commented:
“There was a recent case in the village of Austrey whereby a planning inspector was able to overturn a decision on appeal despite the village having a draft Neighbourhood Plan in place and opposition from local residents. We were told the only way we could challenge this was through the High Court and at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds. We have many planning issues currently in Bedworth with the Council’s proposals in the Borough Plan which is unpopular in many areas, such as the Woodlands which recently experienced floods. I wanted to speak to the Minister to ascertain what protection is available for local communities.”
Craig pressed the Minister over protection from Inspectors overturning decisions, at what point do local plans become ‘sovereign’ in the decision making process, when the Secretary of State can make a judgement and how Planning Inspectors can be held to account.
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis stated:
‘There are certain types of ‘protections’ that are considered as part of plan-making. Specific policies within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) indicate where development should be restricted include: land designated and Green Belt, local green space, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated heritage assets and locations at risk of flooding erosion.
‘However, Local Plans must be prepared with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development and should be consistent with the principles and policies of the NPPF… Neighbourhood planning is intended to provide communities with the power to deliver the sustainable development they need. However, neighbourhood plans should not promote less development than set out in the Local Plan.’
Craig highlighted the example of Austrey and asked why a village with a draft plan can be overruled by an inspector.
The minister replied:
‘Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Adopted Local Plans consistent with the NPPF form part of the Development Plan. Where the Plan is absent or out-of-date decision-takers will grant permission unless adverse impacts of doing so would ‘significantly and demonstrably’ outweigh the benefits.’
However, the minister pointed out that Inspectors needed to consider emerging development plans as part of decision-taking – a point that Craig and local residents had been vocal in making.
Mr Lewis reserved praise for Austrey and other Parishes stating that ‘they are taking forward neighbourhood plans and deserve credit for their hard work and dedication to help shape the future of their area.’
Craig Tracey concluded:
“The information provided by the Minster was useful in-as-much as the details of the planning process are clearer in my mind. He did state that Inspectors decisions are considered final and only an expensive High Court case could try to change this. Having discussed the case in Austrey with residents I felt it was extremely unfair that the Inspector could overrule local people on a particular appeal, despite the Local Plan ticking all the relevant boxes. I believe that Inspectors need to be held to account more for their decisions.
“I am keen for the voices of local people to be heard in planning processes, that is why I took this up with the Minister. Yes there is a need for housing, however they need to be in the right places; I feel that the Plan for Austrey had its fair share of housing allocation. Furthermore it seems even more clear from my discussions with the Minister that the proposals for Bedworth Woodlands are inappropriate and will be at risk from further flooding.”