Fears over impact of planning shake-up

ANGER has emerged from a Devon council about aspects of a major bill that will impact how planning applications are decided.

- BRADLEY GERRARD Local Democracy Reporter

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill could see fewer applications decided by councillors at planning committees, with more being overseen by planning officers.

It could also give the government the power to set the size of a council's planning committee, and require its members to undertake specified training.

Members of East Devon District Council's cabinet expressed dismay at the bill, which has now passed three of the five stages in the House of Commons, before it heads to the House of Lords and, if approved there, will then become law.