The Government has introduced new regulations that will allow previously dismissed proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act to be reconsidered.
The Government has also launched a consultation on whether parish and town councils should be given the power to make submissions under the legislation.
The Act allows people to submit proposals – through their local authority – to the Government asking it to remove barriers, such as planning regulations or bye-laws.
Under the new regulations, a third party ‘selector’ will be able to ask the Government to review its decision. The Department for Communities and Local Government said this would mean the Government would have to fully justify its reasons for rejecting the original proposal.
Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark said: ‘Local people often have great ideas for their areas and are keen to improve their neighbourhoods yet are met with a plethora of rules and regulations that do nothing but stand in their way.
‘Ensuring people can challenge these rules will make the Government much more accountable for the rules it implements. Government’s role should always be to support local people, not stop them.’
Read the Department for Communities and Local Government news release at: LINK
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