A group of more than 2,000 councillors have written to secretary of state Robert Jenrick to oppose his proposed “landmark” reform of the planning system.
The cross-party group argues that the public must be involved in planning decisions and raised concerns over removal of public attendance at local plan examinations and loss of development control for councils.
In an open letter with charity CPRE and Friends of the Earth, they said the changes “will lead to an unacceptable loss of local democracy, scrutiny and accountability and lead to worse outcomes for communities”.
It said: “This will inevitably reduce the trust that the public has in the planning system”.
The councillors added that zoning measures could “radically reduce protections for nature, local green spaces and fail to tackle climate change”. This would “produce communities that are less sustainable and with a lower quality of life”.
The letter also criticises provisions for affordable housing and claims the reform would “weaken local policy”. The group has urged the government to rethink the proposals.
It follows a widespread backlash against the planning system overhaul, which has been heralded prime minister Boris Johnson as a “radical reform unlike anything we have seen since the Second World War”.
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, said: “The message from MPs, communities and now over 2,000 councillors is clear but it is not too late for the government to rethink its controversial upheaval of the planning system.
“We stand with these councillors in urging ministers to work with us to develop and deliver a better set of planning reforms that can actually deliver our country’s environmental, economic and social objectives.”
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