AN MP has called for "people's planners" to become involved in local decisions.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar wants greater public involvement in planning proposals and decisions that could affect the quality of life for residents and their communities.

He was speaking after the Queen's Speech dealt with a new planning Act which would put a duty on local councils to put public participation higher up the agenda when planning decisions are being made.

In a debate in the House of Commons on the speech, Mr Kumar highlighted the fact that parts of urban Teesside could be facing clearance in large scale housing renewal programmes.

"I argued that communities like those needed to be fully involved in helping to map the shape of the new neighbourhoods that will arise from the ashes of the old," he said.

"Too many mistakes were made in the past when we planned new housing. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes, and that is why we need the people who will live in our new communities to be directly involved in shaping them."

He said he thought the proposal in the speech was very bold, and one that would mean that people should have more say on developments which could affect their quality of life.

He said the practice of planning aid needed to be extended and boosted by Government so those communities could be helped to ensure their voices were heard and discussed in the corridors of power.