Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Wiltshire councillors revolt against national planning rule changes
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Councillors have voted against implementing new Government planning reforms that would reduce local oversight, describing the move as an attack on democracy.
Wiltshire Council has staged a formal act of defiance against central Government, with members voting to reject proposed changes to their constitution that would have stripped them of significant planning powers.
During a heated Full Council meeting on Tuesday, 20 October, members rejected the constitutional amendments by 45 votes to 40, with seven abstentions. The proposed changes were designed to bring the council into line with the Government’s National Scheme of Delegation, a policy intended to accelerate the national target of constructing 1.5 million homes.
If implemented, the reforms would effectively centralise decision-making, allowing planning officers to determine a larger number of applications without committee oversight. Crucially, the move would also abolish the existing system that permits local councillors to trigger a review of specific applications by a district planning committee.
Opposition to the change crossed party lines, with several members labelling the reforms an attack on local governance. Conservative group leader Cllr Richard Clewer urged his colleagues to resist, stating that the council should not simply roll over because of a central directive. Cllr Sven Hocking of Salisbury Harnham East described the proposals as an absolute affront to democracy, characterising them as a charter for developers.
Concerns were also raised by Reform UK group leader Ed Rimmer, who expressed dismay at the lack of consideration for local democratic rights. Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart Wheeler of Pewsey Vale East argued that the Government was ignoring the will of local communities.
Despite the vote, the path forward remains uncertain. During the proceedings, councillors were warned that if they refused to adopt the changes, the council could still be compelled to implement them via its legal department. This tension led to a split in opinion, with some members, including Cllr Nick Baker, arguing that the council must ultimately respect the law, regardless of their opposition to the substance of the regulations.
The council had previously reached a unanimous consensus in July, formally condemning the reforms as a diminution of local democracy. Following the debate on 20 October, cabinet member Helen Belcher successfully proposed an amendment to continue lobbying the Government to restore local planning powers. This measure passed with broad support, securing 82 votes in favour.
The vote serves as a symbolic stand for the local authority as it faces pressure from the Department for Housing to adopt the new model. As the council navigates the conflict between national housing targets and local planning autonomy, the decision highlights the ongoing friction between County Hall and central Government regarding how future developments in Wiltshire will be managed and approved.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Politics · View original