SIR: Liberal Democrats have warned that the Government’s planning proposals will “disempower” local authorities like Test Valley and allow developers to “run roughshod” over local communities’ wishes.

People living in Test Valley are the people best placed to make sure planning decisions shape our communities for the better. But this Conservative Government’s planning reforms will strip away local people’s ability to shape those decisions and is a developer’s charter.

With nine out of ten planning proposals approved nationwide, it’s certainly not the planning system that is causing problems.

Liberal Democrats in Test Valley wholeheartedly object to these proposals, which do nothing to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing, undermine our climate commitments and put our local heritage at risk.

Instead of addressing the root cause of the housing crisis, the Tories’ proposals serve the interests of wealthy developers, giving them carte blanche to run roughshod over local communities’ wishes.

Celia Dowden,

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Test Valley Borough Council

Ward Member for North Baddesley,

Neath Way,

Valley Park