In the past couple of days we have had two clear signs that the Government is willing to listen to public concerns over planning.
First we heard the news we had been waiting for for a long time that the Secretary of State was backing a decision to block a housing estate at South Ascot, close to the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, home to nightjars, Dartford warblers and woodlarks.
Then the icing on the cake came from Oliver Letwin at a fringe meeting of the Tory party conference yesterday. When challenged by one of our lobbyists that the draft National Planning Policy Framework would weaken protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest, he vowed: “It was no part of our intention to do that and we will make the appropriate changes if we need to.”
Read the full story here
So thanks Eric and Oliver, it’s great to know you’re listening. Now do you think you could have a word with your friend at number 11, Downing Street? He doesn’t seem to be quite up to speed.
Detail is important Blue Wren. And that is one of our strengths. Jeremey Clarkson did not say that the RSPB nit-picks to death for nothing!
Hmmm - I hope you're right, Martin - but I'd still like to see the small print!