60 days left for Hounslow residents to stop Mayor Ken's power grab - Dakers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 5th Sep 2006

Andrew Dakers urges Hounslow residents to object to proposals to centralise planning power away from their local council.

Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, has labelled the Government's plans to back the Labour Mayor of London's grab of more powers over local planning decisions a snub to local democracy. With just 60 days until the end of government consultations he has urged Hounslow residents to write to DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) raising their objections to policy proposals that will further reduce the power of local communities to shape their own futures.

Commenting on the Labour government's proposals, Cllr Andrew Dakers, said:

"This cosy relationship between the Labour Mayor and the Labour Government will do nothing for local democracy as local authorities are once again stripped of powers that have a direct impact on local residents.

"It is a fundamental principle that important planning decisions should be taken by the authority nearest to the people that are most affected, and that is the council.

"We have already seen the Mayor's disregard for the views of Hounslow residents when he supported developers' proposals for intensive and unsustainable construction at Commerce Rd in Brentford. It is deeply worrying to think that he will now been handed even more powers to impose inappropriate developments against local wishes.

"The decision by Labour to place even more power in the Mayor's hands makes Hounslow's local planning policy all the more important.

"Let's use the 60 days that are left to send a clear message to the Labour government. No more power to Ken."

Residents can read this consultation paper online at the DCLG website:

www.communities.gov.uk/consultations

Summary of the questions in the consultation paper:

1. Do you agree with the Government's proposals on thresholds for referral of planning applications to the Mayor?

2. Do you consider the policy test provides a clear basis for the Mayor to decide whether he should take over a planning application?

3. Do you agree with the new procedures for handling planning applications in London?

Residents' feedback should be sent to: gla.review@communities.gsi.gov.uk