Localism Bill

I am grateful for that intervention. It is important to get the message across that this Bill is about giving power not only to the people but to elected representatives—a concern expressed by Opposition Members. We will see this across the board. It is important to recognise that, rather than take note of typical sceptics in the media. On 17 December, The Observer said of the Bill that"““the tendency for partisanship and strife will be great””," while Planning talked about our entering"““a period in which planning discourse is dominated by sharp-elbowed, well-resourced, well-heeled busybodies””." Indeed, around the same time, The Independent talked about ““a Nimby's charter””. What we need to do is recognise the present circumstances in need of reform. I take seriously the words of one of those in the vanguard—David Evans, the chief planner at West Dorset council, who said:"““The planning system of old was too complex, too prescriptive and too slow…Communities felt that planning wasn't something for them, rather it was something done to them and as a result there was increasing concern from local residents that overdevelopment was affecting their neighbourhoods.””" That is my experience.