- Antony Higginbotham raises planning issues in the House of Commons, citing Burnley’s Local Plan.
Burnley and Padiham MP Antony Higginbotham spoke in the House of Commons last week to raise the issue of Burnley’s Local Plan which is resulting in a number of contentious planning decisions within the Borough.
Put together by the ruling Labour Party a number of years ago the Local Plan designates certain areas of the Borough for development, and is used as a guide for developers when submitting applications.
Despite significant opposition from other parties at the time, including Burnley’s Conservative councillors, it was approved by a majority vote at Burnley Borough Council in 2018.
Speaking in the Commons Antony said:
“Although many think of Burnley just as the town centre, we also have a number of picturesque green villages, including Worsthorne and Hapton. Unfortunately, in 2018, the Labour-controlled Burnley Borough Council adopted a local plan that allocates significant parts of these villages, and elsewhere, to housing developments and more, often directly against the wishes of local residents. This is just one of the planning issues we face.”
Continuing he asked the Leader of the House, “how we can find a way to make sure [Local Plans] command the support of local residents?”
Responding, Jacob Rees-Mogg confirmed that the Government’s proposed planning reforms would “increase community involvement in the preparation of local plans, including a simpler and digitalised plan-making process, with more opportunity for local people to influence the location and standard of new developments in their area.”
Speaking after the event Antony said:
"I’ve received a considerable number of letters and emails from constituents and so I felt compelled to raise this important issue.
"Residents need to be on board with any new development and my view has always been clear - the Council needs to work to bring empty properties back in to use and prioritise brownfield sites over our green spaces. Because our beautiful countryside needs protecting".
Copies of the plan as adopted are available to download at: https://www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/planning/planning-policy/burnleys-local-plan