Yesterday the new Private Members Bill introduced by Simon Hughes in the House of Commons was given its first reading. The bill would allow existing residents all over the country to benefit directly from new developments taking place in their area.
The Town and Country Planning Act (Amendment) Bill was presented to the House of Commons after Simon was successful in this year's Private Members Bill ballot.
The bill will amend planning law to allow councils to use money received from new developments in the area to improve the quality of local housing. Currently the Department for Communities and Local Government guidelines means that councils are restricted to using this money to improve infrastructure, even if infrastructure is of a good standard already.
Welcoming the opportunity to present this bill Simon Hughes said:
"The current planning system is outdated. It is ludicrous that councils are forced to use money from local developments to improve flowerbeds when there is a real need to improve local housing".
"My bill is a win-win for local residents and for developers. Local residents will get a direct benefit from new developments going up outside their window, and developers will have the opportunity to contribute directly to improve the lives of local residents."
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