Member

Going further into Clause 5, I would suggest that on the other aspects of Section 4 we should look quite carefully at why some of this takes as long as it does. There are opportunities to help streamline it, but I am concerned about, all of a sudden, people really impacted, in effect, being ignored and screened out of the process. I have always found it odd in this country that anyone can make a planning application in respect of land they do not own. They can make a planning application to build a house in somebody’s garden. They might not get it, it might not be consented, but they can certainly apply. When we get into a situation where the public benefit is determined—later on, when we discuss compulsory purchase or in respect of the existing powers before us today—it is only right that people affected, local authorities and local councillors can be involved in understanding how that knits together. That is why I am concerned and have tabled so many amendments to Clause 5.