Sarah Dyke MP has called for the Government to urgently rethink their plans after they announced significant changes to the planning framework which could see developers run rough-shod over greenbelt land and local communities’ best interests.
The planning overhaul, which aims to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, would enable developers to bypass local council processes in order to push planning permissions through. It would also allow reviews of greenbelt land, potentially putting some of the nation’s most precious countryside up for grabs.
Ms Dyke has long championed local community-led development. She is a vocal supporter of communities devising their own planning strategies, as this typically involves housing being brought forth with a focus on the right infrastructure upfront, such as GPs, schools and green spaces.
Ms Dyke said: “There is a desperate need for affordable housing in Glastonbury and Somerton. The nationwide housing crisis is only too apparent here; with local people often priced out of owning homes, and spiralling costs in the private rental sector meaning too many people are unhoused, living in poverty or suffering unstable housing.
“We must unlock more homes. But it’s critical we get it right and have the right processes, balances and checks in place. Giving carte blanche to developers to deliver more of the same poor quality, over-priced housing, while exploiting loopholes to avoid having to deliver on critical services and infrastructure, is unacceptable.
“We urgently need more social housing and affordable housing. How and where this happens should be in the hands of local people, who know their area best, so that it can serve the needs of the community rather than fat cat developers from afar.
“With local peoples’ input we can deliver housing that fills the need for homes, without putting additional strain on creaking infrastructure. We can ensure we safeguard our countryside and NHS services, and keep our communities and local economies intact.”
Ms Dyke also pointed to the success of local initiatives where communities have been involved in planning decisions, highlighting how such projects can deliver sustainable housing solutions that enhance, rather than overwhelm, rural areas.
She called on the government to reverse policies that undermine local decision-making and instead invest in solutions that deliver affordable, environmentally sustainable homes where they are most needed.
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