What do you think of the Governments Planning Reforms?

One of the core principles of the new reforms says that those making decisions about planning applications "should assume that the default answer to development proposals is 'yes' except where this would compromise the key sustainable development principles set out".

Eric Pickles and Chancellor have both said that the current system put young people future prosperity and quality of life at risk and is

There's is a serious affordable house shortage in the UK and these reforms are part of the Governments response to this problem. The aim Draft National Planning Policy Framework, which was published back in July, is to streamline more than 1,000 pages of policy to just 52.

However many groups such as the Friends of the Earth are opposed to the plans and have called for the government to think again.

Friends of the Earth's Policy and Campaigns Director, Craig Bennett said: "If the Government bulldozes through these short-sighted planning proposals it will create a building free-for-all that will blight our countryside with bad building - and stop the good building we need.

"Ministers say their plans will encourage sustainable development, but refusing to spell out what this means makes it virtually impossible for councils to prevent damaging developments from going ahead.

And even the National Trust have raised concerns about the Reforms.

What do you think? Should it be up to councils and communities to prove that a new development would be bad for the environment or their community? Do you think this will mean a building free- for-all across the county? Or do you think this is an important change to the planning laws?

Photo: martin pettitt