Watford MP Dean Russell did not vote in an opposition day debate on protecting community involvement and oversight of development planning applications.

On Monday (June 21) Labour tabled a debate to help protect the right of communities objecting to individual planning applications.

The party feared that Conservative planning reform proposals to change the handling of planning applications and quicken their approval could “silence communities” and make them have less of a say.

The reform could help the government achieve its target to build 300,000 new homes a year in England, as it could cut the red tape and streamline the planning process.

While the opposition day motion is not legally binding on the government, it can add pressure for the government to rethink plans and consider opposition views.

Just two Conservative MPs backed the motion which received 212 voting to protect local people’s rights.

However MP Dean Russell, along with 359 Tory MPs did not vote.

A spokesperson from his team explained that Mr Russell does agree in local people having a say in local developments, and that such opposition day debates are used “repeatedly to score political points”.

During the debate, Mr Russell did say: “Does my right hon. Friend agree that in the consultation people should have a say on the height of buildings in their local community, so that they do not live under the shadow of tall buildings when they do not wish to?”

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher responded by calling Mr Russell a “doughty campaigner for his constituents”, adding that the Conservative plans will make it easier for local people to “really influence their plan in their community and have their say on the future development of their area, including the standards of design that builders must adhere to.”

Watford Labour leader Nigel Bell said he was "disappointed" that the MP did not vote.

He said: "Surely Dean must realise the strength of feeling across our town that his Government’s planning reforms will lead to less accountability and less power for local residents and we as local Councillors will have less power to properly speak on our residents behalf, and it will be even more a licence from Dean’s Government to help their developer friends."

Watford councillor Ian Stotesbury has criticised the MP not voting in the objection day vote, stating that planning and development issues is a key topic in Watford.

He said: “Planning was the key issue for many local residents at the recent elections in Watford. The Lib Dem success in Chesham and Amersham shows just how unpopular these Conservative reforms are.

“Watford needs a local MP who will stand up for us on the issues local people care about. Watford’s MP didn’t bother to show up on this key issue and local people will rightly feel let down."

Mr Russell did however appear at the debate, but he did not vote.

Cllr Stotesbury continued: “More homes are needed across England but you can’t give developers a free pass to build wherever they want. We need a Government that understands that homes must come hand in hand with infrastructure such as rail, health and education.”