New planning rules represent a real concern for Hinckley and Bosworth

Hinckley Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Mullaney has expressed concerns about the likely negative impact of Boris Johnson's new White Paper 'Planning for the Future', which the Conservatives claim will represent the most radical changes to our planning system since the Second World War.

Councillor Mullaney said: "It's essential that any new housing developments are in appropriate places and supported by the neccessary infrastructure, but this Conservative legislation will do nothing to protect our green spaces."

Under the Conservative plan, central government will designate whole swathes of the country for 'growth', meaning that developers will have 'planning permission in principle'.

Conservative ministers claim it will eliminate 'red tape', but the Liberal Democrats fear that it abolish any meaningful involvement of local councils and residents in planning matters.

Councillor Mullaney added: "I already have a lot of residents tell me of their frustrations that planning applications which should be classed as inappropriate development are now allowed under permitted development rights.

"Relaxing the regulations further will only have a negative impact on areas like Hinckley.

"The National Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Wildlife Trusts have warned that wide-scale deregulation in planning which will lead to lower environmental standards.

"We have seen in Hinckley how Government Inspectors are prepared to override the opposition of local councillors and residents and impose building on totally inappropriate sites. The most notorious example being a Government Inspector permitting building on the Big Pit site behind Ashby Road in Hinckley.

"The government plan will make it much harder to resist similar disastrously bad developments in future.

"I would urge people who share my concerns about the planning changes to get involved and let government know their views in the consultation. This can be done online at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future or by post to:

Planning for the future consultation, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 3rd Floor Fry building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF