‘Far too much power’: South Yorkshire split over Burnham plan to hand large planning decisions to Metro Mayors
“Democracy has been broken to fulfil the Westminster wish. Done to, not with.”
Parties across South Yorkshire have expressed concern over new powers which will allow Mayor Oliver Coppard to decide on major planning applications instead of local councillors.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced he will give ‘metro mayors’ new powers to “call in” planning decisions and direct councils to progress or refuse them.
Regional mayors, like Mr Coppard, will also be able to grant planning permission upfront so developers can start building without having to apply to their local authority.
The Government said the move would stop “nimby” councils from blocking major developments, allowing more local growth and more homes to be built.
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However, councillors from South Yorkshire’s four local authorities have expressed concern over the move.
Councillor David Greenhough, leader of the Barnsley Liberal Democrats, said: “As Lib Dems, we do not agree with taking power away from local people.
“[The Government] should be empowering local councils with additional resources to deliver affordable homes and the infrastructure needed to support all development.”
He warned it could be a “double-edged sword”, adding: “Councils will have to hit their housing targets, or the government will eventually step in. With Reform, in Barnsley, setting out their plan to not build on greenbelt, it leaves them with little chance of hitting targets – meaning the mayor will step in and cause conflict.”
However, Coun Fran Belbin, leader of Sheffield Labour and Sheffield City Council, welcomed the government’s “commitment to deliver affordable homes and economic growth”.
She added: “At this stage in the consultation period we don’t yet know the full details and how they will operate in practice when finalised.
“As details emerge we will consider what this means for Sheffield and how best to support the delivery of homes, jobs, and the infrastructure needed.”
Reform UK Doncaster were less than impressed with the proposals, with leader Coun Howard Rimmer saying “safeguards must apply.”
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“Planning decisions can shape our communities for generations,” he said.
“Giving one political office the ability to intervene in major applications, determine them and potentially influence the funding and infrastructure surrounding those developments concentrates far too much power in one place,” he added.
“This is not about who currently holds the mayoralty. These safeguards must apply regardless of political party.”
Coun Steve Cox, leader of the Doncaster Conservatives, said he would echo comments made by the Lib Dem MP, Gideon Amos.
The councillor said: “Democracy has been broken to fulfil the Westminster wish. Done to, not with.”
He added: “We have seen applications that don’t have the infrastructure, surface water, and drainage also the ability to access sufficient electricity. The elected members are elected to represent, and the Labour un-elected PM has chosen to take that away.”