Right to Be Heard
Our right to have a say over what is built near us is under threat. The Government is gunning for our precious planning system which, since 1947, has enshrined local democratic decision making and our right to object.
The planning system does need reform, but not by tearing up its core principles – that people’s health, the local environment, and access to the services they need – is more important than whatever makes the most money for developers.
We are working to defend the planning system and to ensure we all keep our right to be heard
Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
The Government is suggesting changes to English planning law and published their proposals in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in May 2022.
These changes mean you will have fewer opportunities to be heard and have a say over important rules that decide what happens where in your local community.
Many rules are being centralised so that the Government decides, not your local elected representatives - and the proposals for replacing existing environmental law will make it harder to protect the environment when these decisions are being made.
In June 2022, we commissioned a legal opinion on the bill. It was prepared by Paul Brown QC and Alex Shattock of Landmark Chambers and concludes that the bill will substantially erode the rights of local communities.
We will be fighting this, alongside communities. Join our mailing list to be kept up-to-date on what we are doing and how you can get involved.
Planning Reform: Judicial Review
In 2020, we challenged Government plans to reform planning laws in court. After being granted leave to appeal the original decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the sweeping changes were lawful. You can catch up on the case and access all the legal documents here.
Rights: Community: Action’s legal challenge to planning reform
Judicial Review update November 2020
