Planning pledge (From The Northern Echo)

Planning pledge

11:51am Thursday 21st February 2008 in

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I WAS pleased when MP Greg Clark was announced as the Conservative shadow minister for Teesside (Echo, Feb 16), not just because it gives local Conservatives a direct line to the top of the party, but also because he has championed a cause close to my heart.

About two years ago Greg sponsored a Bill to change planning guidelines and put an end to "garden grabbing" developments.

This was necessary because Labour amended planning guidelines in 2000, classifying our gardens as though they are equivalent to former industrial sites.

This has made it too easy for developers to knock down detached properties and build high-density blocks of flats in their place. Across Stockton, Eaglescliffe, Yarm and Thornaby it has caused heartache, as communities in which we have grown up go under the bulldozer.

I am confident with Greg in place, and the efforts local communities have made to highlight this issue, we will see real change.

The Conservatives have already pledged that, on coming to government, we will quickly change the rules and rebalance our planning system to again favour local communities.

James Wharton, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Stockton South.