Plea made over planning 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.

The call from the Local Government Association (LGA) came ahead of the Government's Planning White Paper to be published on Monday which is expected to set out proposals for the introduction of an independent Planning Commission.

The new body would make decisions on projects of national importance such as airports, motorways and power stations guided by policy statements drawn up by central Government.

The LGA, which represents more than 400 councils in England and Wales, said the new commission must be limited to matters of genuine national importance, incorporate a strong role for local councils and the communities they represent and counter effectively the widespread perception that it will lead to development regardless of the environmental consequences.

It must also be accompanied by a strong devolution of power over local matters to the local level.

The LGA said this means ending needless involvement by ministers and Government inspectors in decisions which can and should be taken through local democratic processes.

It will also involve limiting national planning policy to what really needs to be determined at a national level and increasing financial incentives to local authorities to encourage economic growth centred on a full return of the business rate to local authority control;

It also means giving councils the powers over funding they need to make sure economic and housing growth happens sustainably, and maintaining the controls which stop inappropriate out of town development and invasion of the Green Belt.

LGA chairman Lord Bruce-Lockhart said: "The White Paper offers a real opportunity to bring in a planning system which promotes economic growth and protects healthy environments, rewards innovation and vision and gives democratically elected local councillors the ability to create places where people can thrive.

"For this to happen, the Government must deliver on its rhetoric and devolve powers away from the national and regional level and closer to people and the places where they live and work."