As part of plans to improve the housing market, the government’s White Paper sought to address the issues of green housing and the house buying and selling processes, with plans to increase the supply of property on the market. It also admitted that the current system was unpredictable and overly bureaucratic.
However plans by the government to improve the state of the housing market have been criticised as being ‘unenforceable.’
Matthew Horton QC said his concern centred around public involvement in decision making. “I have concerns about a number of areas where the White Paper does not meet the requirements for public involvement or proper scrutiny laid down in law. The government is leaving itself wide open to legal challenge unless it can address these concerns.”
Friends of the Earth planning adviser, Naomi Luhde-Thompson, added: “This legal assessment highlights how ill thought through the government’s planning proposals are. The government wants to force through major new developments such as airport expansions by limiting the public’s involvement in the decision making. This is not only undemocratic – it is also likely to be illegal.”
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