With the announcement of a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Saqib Bhatti MP has issued a call to action to protect the Green Belt and contribute to the planning consultation.
The NPPF consultation includes the scrapping of the duty-to-cooperate, a process that means Meriden constituents have been asked to make significant sacrifices to meet Birmingham planning demands.
The consultation also speaks to the issue of land banking, with the NPPF highlighting that delivery can be a material consideration in planning applications. This means that plans that propose slow delivery rates could be refused.
Speaking on the NPPF consultation, Saqib said:
“In December, I spoke of the promise I made when I was elected to do my utmost to protect our precious Green Belt. I stand by my constituents, who understand that, while we need more housing we must do what we can to alleviate pressure on the Green Belt.”
“This is why I am calling on residents to contribute to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation. With the Green Belt constantly under attack, this consultation is a unique opportunity in ensuring your voice is heard and to stop more of the Green Belt being eaten up by development.”
“In particular, the duty-to-cooperate has created a perverse system in which local communities are seen as a way for bigger cities, such as Birmingham, to offload their responsibility of providing housing, and instead pilling pressure on neighbouring communities.”
To read and contribute to the consultation, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/levelling-up-and-regeneration-bill-reforms-to-national-planning-policy by 11.45pm on 2 March 2023.
