Member

This proposed new clause is about seeking a better balance between development and nature; between accelerating decision-making and community involvement; and between having little trust in local democracy and giving councillors the responsibility to be part of the solution to the needs of the country. The contention in this amendment is that it is both possible and necessary to create a better balance between the competing ambitions of infrastructure provision, housebuilding and economic development on the one hand, and community involvement, democratic decision-making, and nature protection and enhancement on the other. Changes need to be made. There is an urgent need for more houses, especially social housing. Our country’s infrastructure is in desperate need of modernisation in a sustainable way that has the objective of minimising harm to nature and communities, but it must take place with people and not despite them. I beg to move.