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Ministers defeat planning rebels Ministers defeat planning rebels
(about 5 hours 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. The government has survived a Labour rebellion over plans to speed up the planning process for big projects such as 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. A bid to ensure ministers get the final say on decisions by an independent body 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.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. In the end 17 Labour MPs defied the government. Ministers say the bill will 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 Communities Secretary Hazel Blears 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. 'Immensely costly'
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 such as 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.
We do not need an unelected and unaccountable quango Jacqui LaitConservatives
"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
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. Greater oversight
It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand John GroganLabour MP class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7470060.stm">Analysis: The Planning Bill battle And she said the public would have at least three opportunities to get involved in the process, through consultation before applications were examined and in being able to make representations during a public inquiry.
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. It is by far the clearest thing if the minister makes the final decision, so everyone knows where they stand John GroganLabour MP class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7470060.stm">Analysis: The Planning Bill battle
There will also be new rights for those individuals affected by compulsory purchase orders. The IPC will have to take account of a report by the local authority before a decision on a particular project is taken and there will be new rights for people 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 Labour MP John Grogan said the amendments would cause "massive confusion" and uncertainty for businesses.
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. "These are tough and very controversial decisions - all the more important that they have democratic legitimacy," he said.
For the Conservatives, Eric Pickles said the bill would "abolish any pretence of democratic accountability". "Otherwise we are going to have a whole load of protests slowing-up these national infrastructure projects."
"The voice of local residents, pressure groups and elected councillors will be silenced," he said. Shadow planning minister Jacqui Lait said the concessions did not amount to "a row of beans". She said ministers were quite capable of making decisions on major projects adding: "We do not need an unelected and unaccountable quango to do it for us."
For the Liberal Democrats, Dan Rogerson said that, while the planning system needed reform, there were "many helpful steps". He said: "The final decision must rest with someone who is accountable."
Sixteen Labour MPs rebelled in the vote and a 17th was a teller for the rebels.
A second Labour rebel amendment which would have let people make oral representations to the commission was rejected by 306 votes to 262.