Call for councils to control planning

Planning is one of a number of powers that should be devolved to a local level in order to give councils more control over what goes on in their area, it has been suggested.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has said that planning as well as transport, economic and infrastructure decisions should be placed in the hands of regional bodies and councils.

The organisation has also recommended that regional strategies that focus on planning, the economy or housing initiatives should be merged in order to provide for better solutions for local areas.

"Central government keeps town and cities as clients. It is time to set them free. Decisions on transport, planning, regeneration and employment must be devolved to the level where people actually live their lives, raise their families and earn their living," commented LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton.

Sir Simon has also responded to Gordon Brown's plans for the housing industry, saying the problem was not limited to supply alone.


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