Planning Bill Debate Delayed Because Of Rebel Fears

A Commons debate on proposed reforms to planning law has been delayed amid fears of a rebellion among Labour MPs. Sixty Labour backbenchers have signed a motion against the proposal for an independent Infrastructure Planning Commission to take the final decision on major infrastructure projects.Many Labour MPs are angry about what they see as a lack of political accountability in the government's plans for a new planning system.
But last week the bill was suddenly pulled from the parliamentary schedule.

One of the potential rebels, John Grogan, said: "Either the government doesn't want two controversial votes in one week or it's preparing concessions to meet backbench concerns. It's got to be one or the other."

The proposal, which is contained in the Planning Bill, is also opposed by both UK opposition parties. To ward off the threat of a defeat, the government has rescheduled the next debate on the bill, which was due for next Monday, to give it time to reconsider the proposals.

The government wants to set up the proposed body in order to speed up planning decisions on major projects. It says these are happening too slowly, as in the case of Heathrow T5, which took seven years to gain approval.

Commons leader Harriet Harman told MPs: “I think it is only right that if honourable members... raise questions about a bit of government legislation the appropriate thing to do is to reflect on what changes might need to be made.”