PLANNING REFORMS

That this House believes a local government-administered planning system is a public good, rather than simply a tool or barrier for stimulating growth, designed primarily to arbitrate between the differing needs placed on land, with the aim of integrating social, environmental and economic needs for the benefit of present and future generations; is therefore concerned by sentiments featured throughout the Government's National Planning Policy Framework which weigh both plan making and decisions towards valuing and economic outcomes, well above social and environmental considerations; warns against such prejudices which place huge burdens on local authorities, the outcome of which may be the granting of reluctant consents, bad developments and disenfranchised communities; and reminds Government that communities are more likely to feel ownership of neighbourhood development plans and the decisions that result, when they are written, led by andare seento serve such localities.