Lib Dem conference motion calls for withdrawal of planning reforms

Conservative-controlled local authorities have backed the motion.

The motion calls for immediate withdrawal of the reforms to waive affordable housing requirements for developments in the private rented sector and to permit housing extensions of up to eight metres.

"The current planning laws are not the reason for a failure to proceed with existing approved housing developments," the motion says. "These proposals go against the spirit of the Localism Act 2011, which encourages more local control of planning policies. The proposals ignore local democracy, will fail to protect local communities and will encourage more neighbourhood disputes."

The motion will be voted on at the Liberal Democrats' conference, which takes place next week in Brighton. If successful, it will be debated during the conference.

Conservative-controlled Richmond Council has also spoken out against the plans to permit housing extensions without needing to apply for planning permission. The Council has agreed a cross-party motion to oppose the proposals.

“This Council, wishing to safeguard the quality of the built environment in Richmond upon Thames, supports the Local Government Association in rejecting the Government’s claim that the planning system is stifling economic growth and opposes Government’s proposals to significantly extend permitted development rights and to allow the removal of affordable housing requirements from developers,” the motion said.

"These proposed new planning arrangements have been designed to kick-start the economy. In our belief they will have the opposite effect," said Council deputy leader Geoffrey Samuel. “When the Regulations are released, our officers will be trawling through them with a fine tooth-comb to identify any flexibility. But in the mean time we will continue to press the Government with utmost vigour against these proposals, which in our view go against their widely admired commitment to localism."

"I have already asked the chief executive with officers to consider what this council might be able to do if we are not successful in getting these, in my view, very foolish proposals changed," said Council leader Nick True.

The planning reforms have been announced by the Government as a measure to kick-start the economy and house building. A spokesman from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has pointed to existing powers, known as Article 4 directions, which allow councils to withdraw permitted development rights if they result in "unacceptable impacts on their community".