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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Ministers defeat planning rebels | Ministers defeat planning rebels |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The government has survived a Labour rebellion over plans to speed up the planning process for big projects like airports and nuclear power stations. | |
| An attempt to ensure ministers have the final say on decisions taken by an independent commission was rejected by 303 votes to 260. | |
| More than 60 Labour MPs had signed a Commons motion warning that the new planning quango would be undemocratic. | |
| But minister Hazel Blears said the move would speed up the planning process. | But minister Hazel Blears said the move would speed up the planning process. |
| Our current system takes too long, it's immensely costly - it's almost impenetrable in very many cases to members of the public Hazel BlearsCommunities Secretary | Our current system takes too long, it's immensely costly - it's almost impenetrable in very many cases to members of the public Hazel BlearsCommunities Secretary |
| The communities secretary argued that big projects which could boost the economy and Britain's energy security were being "clogged up" in "antiquated" planning processes. | The communities secretary argued that big projects which could boost the economy and Britain's energy security were being "clogged up" in "antiquated" planning processes. |
| It was "unacceptable" that major projects like the upgrade of the North Yorkshire power grid had taken just over six years to get through planning, while some wind farm applications had taken, on average, two years, she said. | It was "unacceptable" that major projects like the upgrade of the North Yorkshire power grid had taken just over six years to get through planning, while some wind farm applications had taken, on average, two years, she said. |
| "Our current system takes too long. It's immensely costly. It's almost impenetrable in very many cases to members of the public. There's a lack of transparency and a lack of clarity," she said. | "Our current system takes too long. It's immensely costly. It's almost impenetrable in very many cases to members of the public. There's a lack of transparency and a lack of clarity," she said. |
| "The system isn't working, needs to be brought up to date and made fit for the modern world we are living in." | "The system isn't working, needs to be brought up to date and made fit for the modern world we are living in." |
| In a bid to win over rebels, she said there would be a review of the commission after two years, with ministers intervening if there were problems. | In a bid to win over rebels, she said there would be a review of the commission after two years, with ministers intervening if there were problems. |
| Greater oversight | Greater oversight |
| The government would have to pre-approve specific sites for new nuclear power stations and airports before the planning commission could grant permission for construction in England and Wales. | The government would have to pre-approve specific sites for new nuclear power stations and airports before the planning commission could grant permission for construction in England and Wales. |
| And she said the public would have at least three opportunities to get involved in the process, through consultation before an application is examined and in being able to make representations during a public inquiry. | And she said the public would have at least three opportunities to get involved in the process, through consultation before an application is examined and in being able to make representations during a public inquiry. |
| It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand John GroganLabour MP Analysis: The Planning Bill battle | It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand John GroganLabour MP Analysis: The Planning Bill battle |
| The rebels have also secured a promise of greater oversight by Commons select committees of the work of the Infrastructure Planning Commission. | The rebels have also secured a promise of greater oversight by Commons select committees of the work of the Infrastructure Planning Commission. |
| And the IPC will have to take account of a report by the local authority before a decision on a particular project is taken. | And the IPC will have to take account of a report by the local authority before a decision on a particular project is taken. |
| There will also be new rights for those individuals affected by compulsory purchase orders. | There will also be new rights for those individuals affected by compulsory purchase orders. |
| But some Labour MPs, led by Mr Grogan, were concerned that an independent Infrastructure Planning Commission within the bill would make decisions instead of a minister. | But some Labour MPs, led by Mr Grogan, were concerned that an independent Infrastructure Planning Commission within the bill would make decisions instead of a minister. |
| He called for ministers to take the final decision within six months of planning approval being given by the IPC. | He called for ministers to take the final decision within six months of planning approval being given by the IPC. |
| "It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand," he said. | "It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand," he said. |
| For the Conservatives, Eric Pickles said the bill would "abolish any pretence of democratic accountability". | For the Conservatives, Eric Pickles said the bill would "abolish any pretence of democratic accountability". |
| "The voice of local residents, pressure groups and elected councillors will be silenced," he said. | "The voice of local residents, pressure groups and elected councillors will be silenced," he said. |