Solihull MP says planning system is "fundamentally flawed."

3.03.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 21st Nov 2005

Lorely Burt MP has today described the planning system as "fundamentally flawed", following an appeal by developers to build at 9 Beechnut Lane.

Lorely said "Every single member of the planning committee voted against this proposal. Local residents have campaigned against this development. Yet the wishes of local people are being ignored. This shows how fundamentally flawed the current planning system is."

"My bill in parliament would correct the imbalance between developers and local residents, giving local people more power to reject such developments" Mrs Burt explained. "In this case, the size and scale of the proposed development is out of keeping with the character of one of the most ancient lanes in the entire borough."

"This proposal would double the number of households in Beechnut Lane, significantly increasing the number of vehicles accessing the lane, which would result in traffic chaos at its narrowest part" added Lorely. "Planning should be by local people, of local people, and for local people. In this case, that means NO, NO, NO!"

Lorely's Law receives its second reading in Parliament in February. "I hope to receive cross party support. I shall also be inviting all local residents to support this bill" said Lorely. "This isn't about party politics, its about common sense."