The Conservative Party has reacted angrily to what they perceive as a misinterpretation of the content of the leaked letter from shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman.
Bob Neill, the shadow minister for local government and planning, robustly defends the party’s proposed policy.
‘I categorically deny that our proposed new plans will result in any delay in the provision of new housing,’ he said. Neill points out the number of housing completions in the UK are at record lows, and the Conservative policy is specifically designed to overcome the potential legal challenges that Labour’s strategy may face.
Some authorities have objected to regional planning strategies because they distort local choice over developments.
The Conservatives appear committed to a rethink of local housing and development plans as part of an early local government White Paper, should they win the election.
We are only encouraging councils to delay unpopular local programmes, Neill concludes.
