An alliance of planning bodies has attacked the government over proposals to create local housing trusts, which would vote on house building schemes in rural areas.

The Rural Coalition, which is backed by the Royal Town Planning Institute among others, is urging the government to reconsider allowing 10% of residents to block new developments, as part of its Right to Build proposals.

The plan would allow villagers to form local housing trusts and build homes without seeking council planning permission, provided 90% of local people voted in favour.

In a report called The Rural Challenge, published yesterday, the Rural Coalition warns the measure could “create long-lasting conflict within communities” and “undermine the intention” of its “localist” plans.

The group, which is also backed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Local Government Group and the Town and Country Planning Association, said elected parish councils should be able to initiate small-scale developments within a localised planning framework.

Coalition chair Matthew Taylor warned there was a risk of the countryside becoming “part dormitory, part theme park and part retirement home.”

To read the full report, click here: Rural Coalition Report

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