South Norfolk Council warned of ‘slum housing’ if plans go ahead

South Norfolk Council has delayed a vote on calls for it to oppose government proposals to transform the planning system.

Councillors did not vote on a motion citing concerns over draft new planning laws published last month at a meeting on Monday.

The Government unveiled the white paper in August and the proposed changes, if agreed, would strip away a layer of scrutiny from the development process, with applications automatically green-lit in pre-approved areas – and render public objections and committee decisions obsolete.

Chris Brown, Liberal Democrat councillor, brought a motion to Monday’s full council meeting calling on the council to oppose the proposed changes.

He warned that the new regulations sought to “reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them”, while granting automatic rights for development and cutting the levels of affordable housing schemes.

Cllr Brown said an architectural body had called the plans “shameful” and would do “nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes”.

“The Royal Institute of British Architects said that the proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing,” he said.

“Shelter [the housing charity] has concerns about the delivery of social housing without a section 106 agreement, stating ‘it makes no sense to remove this route to genuinely affordable homes without a guaranteed alternative’.”

He called on the council to make representations against the government’s proposals. A decision will be made when the council’s cabinet meets later this month.