Tescos shows why planning law has to change

01.12.06

Planning law needs reform – and Tesco’s plan for a Tolworth megastore shows why.

First, planning law gives too much power to central Government. For if Kingston Council rejects Tesco’s application, as I hope they will, it could still go-ahead. How? Because Tesco can appeal to central Government and ultimately a Cabinet Minister could have the final say.

That’s not to say we couldn’t win an appeal – Tesco’s plan so blatantly contravenes planning protections wisely passed by Kingston Council, we should have a good chance. At any appeal to Government, though I have no vote, I will argue hard against Tesco – and that’s why I need your petition signatures sent directly to me.

Second, planning laws can prevent communities from getting their voice heard. Partly as unfair rules gag councillors and even remove their right to vote on a plan.

Some councillors are automatically prevented from voting (but are then not gagged). A councillor loses their vote automatically if they live near the land or building involved.

Sometimes, however, councillors lose their right to vote deliberately, by speaking out too early against a planning application. This is not sensible, but sometimes councillors seem more interested in scoring party political points, than preserving their vote for residents. These councillors escape “gag” rules, but at a heavy price to the community.

I think these rules should be changed – but while they are the law, councillors should stick to them.