Gordon Brown faces fresh challenge from Labour rebels over planning system reforms

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Gordon Brown is facing another challenge to his authority from more than 60 Labour MPs who are ready to kill off 'unaccountable' reforms to the planning system.

The Government's Planning Bill will give an unelected quango power to give the green light to airports, motorways and nuclear power stations.

The infrastructure planning commission will speed through approval for large projects in less than a year, compared to the several years taken now.

Ministers say fast-tracking projects such as nuclear power stations is vital to plug the looming energy gap.

But Labour MPs are threatening to join forces with the Tories, who say the proposal is undemocratic and undermines accountability to local voters. Final decisions on big planning issues must be taken by ministers, they say.

So far, 63 Labour backbenchers have signed a Commons motion condemning plans to create the commission - potentially enough to inflict defeat on the Prime Minister, who prepares to mark his first anniversary in Downing Street next week.

The rebels are to hold last-ditch talks with Planning Minister John Healey on Monday, ahead of a crunch vote expected on Wednesday.

But the Government appears unwilling to bow to their central demand, that the final say on big projects must rest with the Communities and Local Government Secretary.

Former party whip Clive Betts, who is leading the revolt, said the new body would be 'unelected' and 'unaccountable'.

Rebel MPs are expected to table amendments limiting the body to making recommendations on matters of national strategic importance, with final decisions resting with the Secretary of State.

But business leaders are urging Mr Brown to face down the rebellion. John Cridland, of the CBI employers' organisation, said bringing ministers back into the process would 'undermine the core purpose of the Bill'.

Last week, Mr Brown scraped through a vote on 42-day detention without charge, but was accused of 'bribing' and 'bullying' MPs.