IF ANY good is to come from the planning debacle so well described in the Guardian pages, then it must be in terms of local decision-making.

Frankly, I cannot see why in the present climate anyone except a developer can be against a neighbourhood plan for their area.

Some of the previous objections were around the cost, the effort and how much influence it would have with the local plan in place.

Events have removed these or at least made them much less plausible.

Grants are available to cover much of the expense and help with the design and we don’t know when we will have a local plan or an adequate five year housing supply.

Conditions are more favourable to these than at any time in Cheshire East’s existence and even the council is supporting them, so I urge all parish and town councils to seriously consider starting them as soon as possible.

Dr Peter Hirst Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Congleton