The Localism Bill received its Second Reading in Parliament this week. I was a member of the planning committee and the housing portfolio holder whilst serving as a Councillor in Rugby; I understand the significance of this long-awaited legislation. As a Councillor, I often felt that I wasn’t deciding what was best for local residents, but simply implementing what the government wanted through a system of ring fenced grants and directives. The Localism Bill will change that.
This new legislation has a wide ranging remit that proposes fundamental changes to local authority power, alongside amendments to housing and planning rules. Of particular interest are the provisions relating to the enforcement of retrospective planning law, an issue closely related to unauthorised development of gypsy and traveller sites across the country. By way of example there are currently 11 sites around the village of Barnacle which is entirely disproportionate number in relation to the area many of which are or were unauthorised.
The previous government considered the issue of enforcement as far back as 2006, but concluded that the present system was working adequately. We all know this to be far from the truth. Whilst it did introduce temporary stop notices, these only sufficed to draw out the process without solving the problem.
Since being elected I have campaigned continuously on this matter, asking the Prime Minister a question in Parliament and writing to the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. Last weekend I attended a conference in Meriden to support the residents of Barnacle. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman was present and joined by representatives from a number of communities across the country. We met to share experiences, and the overarching conclusion was that it is simply wrong to enable people to develop land without consent, by taking advantage of the system.
So the news that the new Localism Bill will give power to the planning authorities to decline retrospective planning applications after an enforcement notice has been issued is most welcome. When the Bill comes into law this autumn, the local authority will also have the power to decide what constitutes adequate provision for such sites. In addition fewer unauthorised developments of gypsy and traveller sites will take place.
Either way I am in no doubt that the legislative changes proposed are a step in the right direction. From this autumn many communities across the country will once again have a say in the local matters that affect them. For many communities, such as Barnacle and Bulkington, this change cannot come quickly enough.