Lord Falconer has attempted to assuage county council fears about their place in the planning system following December’s planning green paper reforms.
The government is proposing to sweep away the old multi-tier planning system and replace it with local and regional frameworks. Critics claim the reforms would effectively strip counties of their planning powers, leaving them to focus on more peripheral issues.
In a speech to the Local Government Association yesterday, Falconer said: “I know that a number of you in the counties have expressed concerns about our proposals to abolish Structure Plans. Let me make it clear that there is no hidden agenda to abolish counties.”
He added: “There are simply too many tiers of planning and one has to go.”
But Eric Pickles, the Conservative’s DTLR spokesman, said: “Labour’s 2001 election manifesto makes clear that regional assemblies would require ‘predominantly unitary government… this remains our commitment’. Labour have a clear agenda to create a new tier of regional politicians.
“Everyone knows county councils are lined up to have their powers seized – such as on planning.”
Another senior Tory told EGi: “Falconer’s right – it’s not a hidden agenda. It’s been spelt out in three green papers and a manifesto.”
EGi News 23/01/02
