Destruction of Local Planning by Eric Pickles

 Destruction of Local Planning by Eric Pickles

Eric Pickles seems intent on destroying local democracy by taking away any powers local Councillors have to protect local people.

This policy offers a free for all on the high street with the highest bidders winning out. The is the rasin detre of this right wing vengeful ideologically driven Tory Government propped up by local people who used to call themselves Liberal but who now make Margaret Thatcher seem like a benevolent grandmother.

Those of us with long memories will remember Eric Pickles when he was leader of Bradford Council selling off the Cities services to the highest bidders then decamping south when offered  a safe Tory seat.

In 2010 Pickles said he was determined to reserve the presumption that Whitehall knows best by making local councils directly accountable to the local taxpayer. He said “If councils want to increase council tax further, they will have to prove the case to the electorate. Let the people decide.”

The Localism Act opens with Part 1, Chapter 1 (1), under the heading ‘Local authority’s general power of competence’ ‘ A local authority has power to do anything that individuals generally may do’

Since publishing the Localism Act Pickles has steam rolled over various local authorities who tried to stop developments opposed by local people.

On the 13 December 2011 the Government claimed that it would “give local communities real control over housing and planning decisions” On the same day, Mr Pickles issued a decision in a planning appeal. National Grid had applied to Tewkesbury Borough Council to build a gas plant in Gloucestershire. The application had been opposed by more than 1 000 residents (and this a sparsely populated rural area): by 12 parish councils and, indeed, by every single member of the planning committee of the local authority. Mr Pickles chose to grant permission to build the gas plant.

The new rules now clearly shoe that Pickles has done a U turn usually the province of LibDems and he does think Whitehall knows best and that Local Councils and their rate payers will not be allowed to take decisions that directly affect local people.

Labour proposes that Local Councils can chose to place some properties in separate planning category this would allow local authorities to refuse planning permission on the grounds for example opening a pay loan shop would constitute a change of use, it would also control the spread of other types of outlet where there is local concern such as around the proliferation of betting shops.

In 1988 a book was published called the ‘Pickles Papers’ dealing with his time in Bradford. The short description of the book is ‘a story of intrigue and double-dealing, ambition and power, sex and money, conspiracy and corruption, betrayal and blackmail!’ It’s a riveting read and I highly recommend it.