Nick Raynsford took part this evening in the debate on the Second Reading of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. Far from the Government’s claims that the Bill will encourage Bill, Nick argued that it will lead only to further delays and confusion and delays in the planning system, making it easier for developers to build estates and blocks with NO much-needed social housing inside. Furthermore, the Bill grants developers the right to seek a decision from the Secretary of State if a Local Authority has a ‘very poor performance’ over planning. Not only does this ride roughshod over the Government’s claims of being champions of localism, it also ignores that fact that 87% of planning applications have approval, with 90% of applications decided within 26 weeks. What this Bill fails to do is tackle the real barriers to growth, such as first-timer buyers’ difficulties obtaining a mortgage and lack of confidence in the economy. Instead, taking planning decisions away from local communities only undermines local confidence in the planning system. You can read Nick’s contributions to the debate here.