WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has called for an urgent meeting with a Government Minister after a ruling that could mean major housing developments being imposed by central planners.
The Government has written to both Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils saying that major planning applications will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate and removing the voices of local councillors to comment on housing development.
The MP has called for an urgent meeting with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP to press for the Government to reverse the decision.
Dame Harriett said: “This is a shocking decision based on out-of-date information which means that central planners will be able to impose housing developments on our rural community.
“It is the nightmare scenario where local people lose their ability to comment on major development proposals and takes away the right of district councillors to speak up for their local communities.
“I’m hoping that together with my colleague Nigel Huddleston MP, we will be able to make the case to the Minister to re-think this decision and return planning decisions to local councillors.”
