Witham MP Priti Patel has slammed the Labour Government’s announcements on reforms to the planning system and their proposals for new pylons and energy infrastructure. Proposals announced this week will weaken local involvement in planning decision-making while plans unveiled to offer ‘community benefits’ to areas hosting new energy infrastructure like pylons are unclear. There is also no guarantee these ‘community benefits’ would be available for the areas affected by Labour and National Grid’s plans to cover the East of England in over 100 miles of new pylons and overhead powerlines. Priti said:
“Labour continues to show contempt for local communities and local democracy. Their plans to weaken the planning system will lead to our countryside and green spaces being lost. We’ve already seen one site get permission at appeal in Wickham Bishops after the Government doubled Maldon District’s housing targets overnight and by watering down the ability of local communities to influence development we risk getting developments in the wrong places without appropriate infrastructure and services in place.”
“Labour is also failing communities who will be impacted by plans for new pylons and overhead powerlines. A package of so-called ‘community benefits’ have been promised, but it remains unclear if communities in Essex and the East of England will benefit with the advanced nature of the current pylon plans. Instead of pressing ahead with these plans, the Government should be focused on working with communities and considering the alternative options put forward.”
