Councils want mayor's planning powers
London Councils has requested that planning decisions should be in their hands, rather than mayor Boris Johnson’s.
In a letter to communities secretary Eric Pickles, the umbrella body for London’s 33 councils said power to give controversial developments the go-ahead should lie at a local level. This would include plans for large housing developments.
Business group London First condemned the plan, warning that any uncertainty over planning would lead to slow decisions which would damage the economy. A counter-letter to Mr Pickles said: ‘It is vital that in a city as complex as London the mayor can weigh the needs of London as well as local considerations.’
A spokesperson for London Councils said: ‘We recognise the importance of the mayor’s strategic planning role, but we are keen to reverse the drift of his powers from the strategic into the local.’
Boris Johnson has had dozens of strategic proposals referred to him since taking the post two years ago. He has decided to take only two forward: the 63-storey Columbus Tower in Canary Wharf and Southall Gas Works.
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Readers' comments (5)
Sidney Webb | 04/08/2010 10:07 am
This will be an interesting test of Pickle'd localism and Johnson's glass empire building.
Surely the conistent outcome should be for Pickles to proclaim that planning will be decided at ward level on a majority vote through referenda every four-years, bringing London into line with the rural Shire ideal?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 04/08/2010 1:51 pm
London councils will throw off the shackles imposed by Boris and find the ultimate freedom to do anything they want ... which is absolutely nothing because there's no shekels in the kitty.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Sidney Webb | 04/08/2010 1:58 pm
No shekels for a post-shackles shindig - shame!
Whilst we wait for the everything right is right self-rightous brigade to defend the brethren.
The Mayor needs to have a strategic power for the benefit of the whole London economy, and to avoid sections of London looking to enjoy the cities benefits without making a holistic contribution. Boroughs should have clearly defined day to day power within the strategic framework for London, but not less than their non-London peers.
People should have the ultimate right in the powers used by all of their elected individuals and public institutions; i.e. democracy.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 04/08/2010 2:39 pm
It's London - who cares. Thjre are other places outside the M25, but whisper it carefully as we may upset them there cockerknees!!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Sidney Webb | 04/08/2010 3:14 pm
Of course there are places outside of London. The majority of people working in London call those places home, but we all get forgotten when it comes to sharing out the goodies.
To apply the argument to the rest of the UK: for Mayor read Regional Government, and for Borough read Borough/County/Unitary (delete as applicable) authority, for People read People.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment