The new Prime Minister is ‘expecting’ her new housing secretary to look at curtailing the powers of the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) as it is ‘too easy’ for the body to overrule local authorities.
image: Open Government Licence v3.0
…‘Local councils have no role if they cannot protect what matters…’
Construction News writes:
The new prime minister will consider curtailing the powers of the Planning Inspectorate amid concerns that it is ‘too easy’for the body to overturn councils’ decisions.
In her first Prime Minister’s Questions… Liz Truss was asked why the inspectorate had the power to overrule environmental safeguards put in place by local authorities.
“Will this prime minister look at why the Planning Inspectorate is able to overturn councils’ planned protections for green lungs?” asked Sir Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West.
Sir Peter cited the long-running dispute over plans to build 475 homes in the Goring Gap near the South Downs.
“Local councils have no role if they cannot protect what matters most to them,” he added.
Responding to the question, Truss agreed…. “There is not enough power in local hands at the moment,” she said.
“It is too easy for local councils to be overruled by the Planning Inspectorate, and that is certainly an issue that I expect my secretary of state… to look at.”
The review of the body’s powers comes amid increased criticism over the time required to challenge planning decisions.
