Watford Labour's motion outlines 'strong objection' to Planning Bill

It is regarding the Government's Planning Bill, which aims to stop local opponents blocking development in designated "growth zones".

Critics believe it gives less decision powers to councils and its officers - Hertsmere Labour group leader Jeremy Newmark says the proposals will "gag" residents as well.

A motion has been submitted to a full council meeting which is set to be held at Watford town hall on Monday evening (July 19).

It reads: "Watford Council condemns the proposals in the Government’s planning bill that will take away our local democratic oversight and scrutiny of planning applications.

"Planning will be taken away from locally elected representatives and handed over to development boards appointed by ministers in Whitehall."

Watford Labour group leader Cllr Nigel Bell (Image: Watford Labour)

The motion, which has been proposed by Watford Labour group leader Nigel Bell, goes on to say residents living in designated growth areas will have "no right to object to tower blocks at the end of their road", adding "oversized developments will overburden local infrastructure".

The motion concludes: "This council resolves that the Mayor writes to the secretary of state for housing, communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick) expressing our strong objections to the new planning bill and we want to keep the right of communities to object to individual planning applications."

The Labour group will be seeking the support of the Liberal Democrat party - the ruling party at Watford Borough Council.

Watford mayor Peter Taylor

The Watford Lib Dems have also been critical of the proposed laws on social media, saying it will "undermine local democracy" and accused Watford's Conservative MP Dean Russell of "not standing up for Watford" when he did not support a motion to "protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications".

The mayor wrote to Mr Jenrick at the end of June to call for the way housing targets are set to be "reviewed" as he seeks a lower target for Watford.

Mr Russell said this week the Planning Bill is an "important piece of legislation" adding he is "confident" the proposals "will give locally elected councillors control over what to build and where".

Watford MP Dean Russell pictured recently at Watford Workshop

He told the Observer: "Having spoken at length with housing ministers and in the Commons, I know that the intention is to not only strengthen environmental protections but to also create more affordable housing and more jobs.

"In addition, I have been very vocal on the need for communities to have more of a say in how tall planning developments can be in their local community. I have also made clear that the government cannot waver on its manifesto commitment to protect and enhance the Green Belt.

"Given the current system is decades old it can be slow, complex, and inaccessible. It is no surprise that less than 3 per cent of people engage with planning applications, given how difficult it can be to navigate.

"I am confident that these proposals will give locally elected councillors control over what to build and where, replacing jargon-laden and thousand-page documents with easy to navigate and succinct assessments."