Buckinghamshire Council’s Local Plan will shape future development in Wycombe for years to come. The Plan is currently at an early stage of the consultation. I have written to Ian Thompson, Corporate Director of Planning, Growth and Sustainability at Buckinghamshire Council, setting out my position on a range of issues. […]
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Green Belt Development can only be proposed under the most exceptional circumstances
In Wycombe, we all care passionately about the development of our town and the maintenance of the local green belt. Many constituents have sent emails raising concerns about Wycombe District Council’s local plan and the future of our protected green spaces. On Monday 10th October, I raised the issue about the preservation of green-belt […]
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When planning goes wrong – business change of use
I feel sure I can claim the support of everyone if I write that the planning system should promote prosperity. I am certain those operating the system work diligently within the rules with that noble intent in mind. However, over the past few years, I have seen a number of instances […]
Read MoreOn green belt protection
In DCLG questions this week: Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Will the Minister confirm that the national planning policy framework has provisions that protect the green belt from developers and people like the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) who would like to build all over it? Brandon Lewis: My hon. Friend is right, […]
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Westminster Hall debate on public consent for local plans
Yesterday in Parliament, I led a Westminster Hall debate on the issue of public consent for local plans. I introduced my remarks as follows, I begin by outlining two key problems. First, land for development is extremely scarce in Wycombe, and there is real public anger at the prospect of […]
Read MoreCalling in the redevelopment of RAF Daws Hill
Yesterday, I wrote as follows to the National Planning Casework Unit, copying the Secretary of State, asking for the RAF Daws Hill redevelopment to be called in. The letter should be self-explanatory. Neighbourhood planning is described here. National Planning Casework Unit 5 St Philips Place Colmore Row Birmingham, B3 2PW […]
Read MoreVia City A.M. – Boris on Starbucks and DC on judicial review
On the cover of City A.M. this morning, Boris Johnson argues that Starbucks must do more for the UK. Apparently, the Mayor said of Starbucks, “It needs to reflect very fast and very seriously on its position…Either it makes a change in its tax arrangements or does a lot more […]
Read MoreProtecting the green belt
My question yesterday as a supplementary to an oral question on green belt protection: Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con):Will my right hon. Friend take steps to diminish planning inspectors’ powers over those who are democratically elected? Mr Pickles: My hon. Friend must have come across some grumpy planning inspectors. By and […]
Read MoreSurvival of the unfittest: why the worst infrastructure gets built—and what we can do about it
Via Survival of the unfittest: why the worst infrastructure gets built—and what we can do about it: […] Taken together, the UK and US studies both account well for existing data on cost underestimation and benefit overestimation. Both studies falsify the notion that in situations with high political and organizational […]
Read MoreSimplifying the planning process: Enabling private sector businesses to invest and sustain growth
NB: this guest post is by Mimi Macejkova, my Parliamentary Intern and the views expressed are her own. In a recent letter sent to MPs, Greg Clark, Minister for Decentralisation and Cities of the Department for Communities and Local Government, introduces a Whitehall draft, which reforms a one thousand-page planning […]
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