Are house extensions a good idea?

[Simple Simon 36]

PRESS RELEASE

 

Immediate release

April 2013

Press Release: Civic Voice joins Lord True and Zac Goldsmith MP supporting amendment to Growth Bill Over 250 MPs contacted by civic groups challenging the Government’s home extensions’ plans.

Civic Voice – the national charity for the civic movement with 75,000 members – is today urging individuals and communities across England to contact their local MP to support an amendment to Government legislation to allow local councils to opt out of a proposed piece of national legislation.

The amendment, introduced in the House of Lords by Lord True CBE, [1] means councils could, if they wished, opt out of the proposed legislation which would allow house extensions to double in size before needing the local planning permissions which are currently required.

Civic Voice wants community groups to contact their local MP and ask them to support the amendment when it is debated in the House of Commons on April 16th.

 

  Write to your MP now

Civic Voice has designed a website to allow individuals and community groups to write a letter to their MP in under 30 seconds expressing support for the amendment. Write a letter to your MP at www.civicvoice.org.uk

Lord True CBE said “Many MPs of all parties must surely see how unfair it would be for neighbours to lose the right to be heard or to ask for change in the case of big ugly extensions. We must build community cohesion not create friction between neighbours. This is now the last chance to urge MPs to back those who play by the rules, not the minority who want to ignore them. I applaud Civic Voice for supporting this amendment.”

Zac Goldsmith MP who will be spearheading support for Lord True’s amendment in the Commons debate said “Everyone wants to see common sense reforms to planning policy so that uncontentious developments get a green light, and planning officers are able to focus on the cases that really matter. But this policy simply rips up all local input, and is a recipe for guaranteed hostilities between neighbours. It is madness to remove people’s right to object to developments that threaten their quality of life. I hope this sensible and modest Lords amendment passes through the Commons so that elected local representatives are able to decide for themselves if this policy suits their communities.”

Paula Ridley CBE, Chair of Civic Voice said, “There has been widespread concern about the Government’s planning reforms which would put everyday England at risk. Over 250 MPs have been contacted by groups who want to see this amendment introduced; however, this may not be enough. If you support the amendment to allow local choice, visit the Civic Voice website today and tell your MP. Numbers count on an issue such as this as the Government has made it clear they want to see the amendment removed.”

Civic Voice has designed a website to allow individuals and community groups to write a letter to their MP in under 30 seconds expressing support for the amendment. Write a letter to your MP at www.civicvoice.org.uk.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

[1] Development orders: development within the curtilage of a dwelling house” [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2012-2013/0157/13157.1-4.html], inserted into the Growth and Infrastructure Bill by the House of Lords.

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. We lead and support civic societies as a national movement for quality of place, with people actively improving their towns, cities and villages and promoting civic pride. We speak up for civic societies and local communities across England and we believe everyone should live somewhere they can be proud of. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010, Civic Voice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members. Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk including how to join Civic Voice (£10 individuals) and contact details for local civic societies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Steve Graham, Chief Executive, Civic Voice (m) 079217 67650

Ian Harvey, Co-ordinator, Civic Voice (m) 07877 096968 (t) 0151 708 9920