Hart’s Stand Against new Government Planning Policy

HART District Council announced today that it will submit strong objections to the Government over its proposed new National Policy Planning Framework.

The Government published the draft Planning Framework for comment in the summer. As currently drafted it not only removes the long standing policy that the countryside should be protected for its own sake but also the presumption that brownfield land should be developed in preference to green fields.

These intended changes, coupled with the Government’s drive to foster economic growth, will leave rural districts like Hart subject to the risk of sporadic and unplanned development in the countryside.

Hart’s Council Leader, Cllr Ken Crookes declared: “ We are pleased to note the Government’s intention to simplify national planning policy but we are concerned that the Government’s proposed changes will have far reaching and unintended consequences for Hart.

“We don’t believe that the Government has thoroughly thought through its proposals. We are therefore going to submit strong objections to the Government and sincerely hope that it will reconsider these proposals.”