The Conservative Party has come under fire from the industry on its planning “green paper”. However, the Tories have support from one important source: the Liberal Democrats

On 11 March, Lib Dem shadow chancellor Vince Cable pledged his support for localism at the State of the Nation conference on regeneration and infrastructure at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in Westminster, London, hosted by CB Richard Ellis.

Cable said local planning authorities should be given more powers. His support could be key for the Tories in the event of a hung parliament.

Cable said the Lib Dems disagreed with Labour planning policies, such as the Infrastructure Planning Commission, which opened for business this month. He said the planning system must take more regard of local opinion.

“We have a strong belief in the power of local government and we worry about the over-centralisation of government,” Cable said.

“I am very conscious of the way in which the planning system overrides local objections.”

London’s deputy mayor, Sir Simon Milton, said the Tories should flesh out their plans for third-party rights of appeal and criticised Labour’s local development frameworks.

“It’s like hanging too many ornaments on a Christmas tree and the tree is toppling,” said Milton. Only four of 33 London boroughs have agreed their local development frameworks since they were introduced in 2004.

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