THE leader of the Conservative Councillors at Winchester City Council met Robert Jenrick MP about planning reforms and pressed him on local issues.

Councillors have been concerned that changes to planning will see many more houses built on countryside in the Winchester district.

Cllr Caroline Horrill said: "The Secretary of State confirmed that he wanted Local Plans to put local councils in the driving seat and that the new system should be faster and simpler. I advised the Minister that the allocation of housing numbers based on the entire district are simply unfair, given 40 per cent of the district is in the South Downs National Park. I urged him to consider alternatives for districts like ours and to reduce our numbers accordingly. The minister confirmed he understood the issue and promised he was looking at options to address the problem.

"The Minister and I agreed brownfield first was a key policy and that the new local development tax, which will be set locally, should be less for brownfield sites to encourage their redevelopment. Let’s hope that message is understood by the Winchester City Council administration.

"Importantly the minister provided clear direction that zoning will be a local council decision, not directed from the top down. Our council can decide if we wish to allocate sites to provide a faster route through the planning system.

"The meeting was a great opportunity for a joined up approach with Steve Brine MP and a line into Government to influence key emerging Government policy. Now it is over the LibDem administration to make the correct decisions for the Winchester District as the new Local Plan is decided. Let's hope they are listening."