South East England Councils (SEEC) has welcomed the Government’s latest announcement that it will re-think its planning policy proposals and abandon reliance on a housing algorithm.
SEEC Chair Cllr Roy Perry said:
“I am pleased the government has listened to Councillors and MPs from the south east.
The original planning proposal, far from levelling up the country and helping the north would have lead to unacceptable levels of building especially over the south east”.
Cllr Perry, who is the former Leader of Hampshire County Council and previously chaired a district planning committee added:
“Of all policies, town and country planning needs local input to take account of local knowledge and local sensitivities. It should not be dictated by ill thought through formulae from Whitehall.
Better quality development of towns is altogether preferable than building over huge swathes of open countryside and it is not just Green Belt land that needs protecting.
South East Councils are ready to help the Government meet housing targets but in a way that does not ignore the quality of environment in the south east”
Notes to editors:
- SEEC is a recognised cross-party regional grouping that cooperates with the Local Government Association (LGA). www.secouncils.gov.uk
- Cllr Roy Perry is available for interview.
