The London Borough of Bexley has urged the Secretary of State for Housing to reconsider proposed changes to the planning system that will result in local people having less say in housing developments.

The proposed Government reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the planning system will see a weakening of local safeguards to protect the character of places and a reduction in the ability to use and respond to local knowledge and evidence.

The Leader of the London Borough of Bexley Cllr David Leaf said:

We will continue to robustly represent the Borough’s interests in response to planning policies set by central government and the Mayor of London where we consider they may adversely affect the local character. The government’s planning proposals will reduce local involvement in the planning process for new developments and this will lead to a rush to build wherever possible creating the slums of tomorrow. ln fact, we are already seeing the negative effects of this obsession with numbers over quality through the growth of small flats and the continued loss of valuable family housing to HMOs with all the associated implications on amenities and our local communities. I want to ensure that local people in Bexley have a say in their future and that national targets on housing and infrastructure are managed locally in a way that respects the character of our Borough.”

Read the detailed response from London Borough of Bexley to the proposed Government reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Our response to the public consultation on Design and Placemaking Planning Practice