Think-tank the Policy Exchange has published an economics manifesto for the forthcoming general election which has urged the introduction of a so-called ‘Presumption Against Interference’ so people would be free to do as they will with their property ‘except where clear justification or requirement for intervention exists’.
The document also argued that change of use restrictions should be limited while local plans should be ‘drastically stripped back’.
The think tank said this would mean ‘no density targets, or top down regulation of minutiae like car spaces, bike standards or the number of hotel rooms’.
Its ‘manifesto’ stated: ‘If less than half of the people in the immediate vicinity (numerically or in terms of floor space) object, planning permission should automatically be granted subject to appropriate compensation.’
