Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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BN7 2LJ.
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Local MP introduces debate and challenges minister over unnecessary government interference on local planning issues
Local MP, Norman Baker, this week introduced a debate in the House of Commons in which he challenged the Minister to stop unnecessary Government interference on a micro-level with local council planning functions and emphasised the importance of local accountability in planning matters.
Mr Baker, who has long campaigned on the importance of decisions on local planning matters being taken by elected councillors, highlighted the Government’s persistent interference and micro-management via the call-in procedure, when central Government steps in to take away the responsibility for a planning decision from local councils. This call-in procedure has been used recently in the local area for both the proposals for a wind turbine and meteorological mast at Glyndebourne.
The Lewes MP called on the Minister to push the Government to be more circumspect in the use of the procedure and used the example of planning permission for the Glyndebourne wind turbine which, despite being given on a cross-party basis by local councillors, was called-in by the Government. Mr Baker further lamented the Government’s failure to step in when it is actually needed, on issues of major national significance, such as in the case of the ‘hated’ Newhaven incinerator where the County Council took a decision on its own application.
During the debate the MP also raised the issue that unfair Government-imposed targets mean that more and more planning decisions are being taken by council officers rather than elected councillors. The imposition of housing targets on the local area by Government and unelected regional bodies was also criticised by Mr Baker.
The Minister assured the local MP that the Government was reducing its use of the call-in procedure.
Commenting on the debate, Norman said:
"I am pleased to have secured this debate on what is a very important issue, not just on behalf of my constituents here in Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and Polegate, but for people in areas all over the country where the Government is unnecessarily interfering with local planning decisions.
"The misuse of the call-in procedure is un-democratic and illogical when there are elected councillors who have the both the benefit of being directly accountable to their communities and having a sound knowledge of the local area that the planning decisions affect. That said, the Government also don’t seem to recognise when they do have a duty to step in on an issue of national importance such as the hated incinerator at Newhaven. This is why I am glad to have been able to introduce this debate and why I will continue to pursue the matter on behalf of my constituents."