David Morris has criticised new proposals from Gordon Brown’s Government to change the rules on planning and weaken the say of local communities.

Recent policies unveiled by Whitehall ministers push through controversial developments and gag local communities. Mr Morris has vowed to fight this Planning ‘White Paper’.

The White Paper includes proposals for a new centralised planning quango that will strip local communities of their say over developments such as wind farms. Its powers also include the compulsory purchase of land.

David says: “The Conservative Party is the party of local democracy and choice: any large scale application whatever it is for, has got to command local support.

“If wind power is not popular in the Lune Valley, the Labour Governments Renewable Engery obligation needs to be reviewed and reformed to offer a balanced range of alternative energy technologies. This is the answer to energy problems; not contriving new planning laws to make controversial developments easier.”

“Gordon Brown has shown his true control freak instincts by backing moves to strip local communities of their say. Labour has sided with large developers rather than the people. I will side with the voice of local communities and be accountable to you.”

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This news item was originally published in September 2007, but was added to our website on the date shown above.