The suggestion from the Liberal Democrats that Dominic has not been engaged with the proposed planning reforms is categorically untrue. Dominic has been actively working on these issues since the government’s proposals were published in August.
First, Dominic has responded to both relevant government consultations (“Changes to the current planning system” and “Planning for the Future”). In these responses, Dominic made a robust case against the proposed increase in the local housing need figure for Elmbridge – arguing that the reformed formula must take account of constraints on land supply like Green Belt, and cautioning against the use of affordability criteria to increase the housing figure.
In recent months Dominic has also held several meetings about the government’s proposals with local councillors, council officials, neighbouring MPs and groups of concerned residents, listening to their concerns and communicating them to colleagues in government.
Rather than making these spurious attacks, the Liberal Democrats should be focussing on getting a Local Plan in place if, after four years in control of Elmbridge Borough Council, they had a Local Plan, there would be no question at all of any higher housing target.