Minister to rewrite planning rules after outcry

Ministers have launched a robust defence of the plans but have admitted that in simplifying guidance for planners some sections may not be sufficiently clear.

Local Government Minister Greg Clark said he has offered to go through the guidance “line by line” with campaigners in an attempt to quell uproar over the changes which are being fought by environmental groups like the National Trust.

The changes which aim to simplify the planning process contain a “presumption in favour of sustainable development”, which ministers say will boost growth while protecting the environment and countryside.

But campaigners fear the reforms will lead to a return to damaging development, by putting the emphasis in favour of building rather than protecting green spaces.

Mr Clark said: “It is good that people take an interest in the planning system. If you’re moving from 1,300 pages to 50 odd, you’re not going to get every point of expression as clear as it could be.

“I’ve said to all the groups we will sit down and go through line by line and make sure that anything that isn’t expressed in a way that is obvious the way it was intended – like the issue with brownfield land for example – we can clarify it. That is what a consultation is about.”

Mr Clark and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles have challenged many of the concerns raised by campaigners. Although a presumption in favour of building on brownfield land before greenfield sites has been removed, the new guidelines state that sites “of the lowest environmental value” should be used first.

They also insist that planning rules have for many years contained a presumption in favour of development.

Mr Pickles said: “We are very flexible. But people need to understand this reform has to take place. Planning is too complex.”

Comment: Page 12; Need for a reasoned debate: Page 13.