Bradford Reform councillors oppose planning power grab

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Bradford Reform councillors have urged the Government to reverse planning changes coming into effect on October 31.

Bradford's Reform UK councillors have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government opposing planning changes due to take effect on October 31. Under the reforms, only the most significant applications – for major housing schemes and large-scale business developments – will be decided by elected councillors on planning committees. The vast majority of applications will instead be decided by planning officers behind closed doors.

The Government says the changes will cut bureaucracy and speed up development. However, members of Bradford Council's planning committees have expressed discomfort with the changes.

The councillors, led by Deputy Leader Councillor Judson, also raised concerns about recent changes allowing developers to build on Green Belt land reclassified as 'grey belt'. They cited four local sites granted development permission against significant public opposition: Fleet Lane in Queensbury, Harden Lane in Wilsden, Otley Road in Menston, and Highgate Grove in Clayton Heights.

How it is being reported

• Reform UK councillors urge Government U-turn on 'planning power grab'The Government has said the changes will cut bureaucracy and speed up development.Keighley News · 27 Oct, 12:41
• Bradford Reform councillors urge Government U-turn on 'planning power grab'A SHAKE up of the planning system that will be introduced later this week has been described as a “planning power grab” by Bradford’s Reform group.Telegraph & Argus · 27 Oct, 03:00

In this story: Bradford Council · Reform UK · Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government · Councillor Judson · Bradford

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem