A RADICAL overhaul of the planning system by the Government could put massive pressure on Northwich’s infrastructure.

This is the view of Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, who also says that proposed changes would result in poor quality and unaffordable homes.

According to the MP after reviewing draft laws unveiled by Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for housing, developers could be granted ‘automatic’ permission to build homes, removing local council planning departments from the planning process.

Mike, who is Labour’s shadow minister for housing and planning, also says that the changes would remove a requirement for developers to make at least a percentage of new developments affordable properties.

“There are already parts of Northwich under significant strain due to development,” he said.

“It is something I have raised on many occasions when various plans have gone before the council and something concerned constituents raise with me on a regular basis.

“Under these proposals, developers could continue building in towns like Northwich, while the communities that live there have no say whatsoever.”

Mike also warned that a radical extension of permitted development rights will lead to poor quality housing.

He added: “The Government’s commissioned report published at the end of July confirmed that only 22 per cent of permitted development homes meet national space standards.

“If we are going to have development in Northwich, I want it to be of the highest quality, I want there to be genuinely affordable homes in the mix and I want communities – via their elected representatives – to be able to have their say on any plans.

“Under these proposals, all of that could be undermined.”

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Offering a differing view, Charles Fifield, Conservative CWAC councillor and chartered surveyor by trade, said: "Due to the delays and complexities of getting planning permission, the value of land with planning permission is very high.

"This in turn creates high house prices and as such, affordable houses become smaller, to maximise the number of houses available. 

"Sadly, it is young families who miss out the most as they try to get on the housing ladder."