Changes to the Government's planning policy is “too little too late” for councillor

The changes include tackling problems of slow building and issues in the operation of housing delivery, encouraging local planning authorities to support the role of community-led groups in delivery affordable housing, and including considerations for flood security around farm land.

Zoe Nicholson, Green Party councillor and deputy leader of the Council, said: “It’s a shame that the Government have decided to yet again kick the can down the road on changes to the National Planning Framework with this consultation. We’ve been promised reform of our broken planning system since 2019, and still we are yet to see any practical change on the ground.

“What is proposed still falls short of the changes our community needs, failing to provide much needed protections from over development in our countryside and villages. For many places, like Ringmer, Wivelsfield and Plumpton it’s too little too late. The reason the Planning Inspector is still riding rough shod over local decision making is the Government’s relentless focus on building more houses in every green space available.”