Nigel Adams MP sets out why his Planning Bill will empower communities
13 July 2010
By Emily Ryans
Nigel Adams MP has
written an article on influential website ConservativeHome explaining his motivations behind his decision to introduce the Protection of Local Services (Planning) Bill which CAMRA is supporting. The Bill will give local councils in England the power to close loopholes in planning law which allow local services such as pubs, post offices, local shops and community centres to be demolished without the need to seek planning permission.
Nigel said:
"After my name was drawn 18th in the ballot to introduce a Private Members' Bill, I was inundated with suggestions for the topic of my Bill and I had a few ideas of my own.
"I was also keen to ensure that my constituents had a say in the focus of the Bill and so I placed an appeal in the local press and on my website, for constituency-related ideas or concerns.
"The issue of the protection of local services, championed by the Campaign for Real Ale and its members (CAMRA) was by far and away the most popular suggestion and so I arranged a meeting with representatives from CAMRA to discuss the details of the Bill and how to take it further. My constituency of Selby and Ainsty is a brewing constituency, with many breweries in and around including John Smith's in Tadcaster and so, despite this Bill focusing not just on pubs but on all local services, I could immediately see the relevance for my constituents."
Read the full article.