Further written evidence to be reported to the House
Housing and Regeneration Bill
12:00 pm
Alistair Burt (Shadow Minister, Communities and Local Government; North East Bedfordshire, Conservative)
How do you feel about that? District councils are often concerned about the green belt, because democratic pressure is exerted by elected councillors. There is therefore concern, particularly in rural areas, that if local planning authorities lose their powers to another body, it will become much easier for decisions to be taken which may damage the environment. The agency could make such decisions on the basis that not enough houses were being built in an area, so the local democratically elected planning authority could be ridden over roughshod. Is that a concern of yours?