Government must let local people make planning decisions - Öpik

2.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 12th Jul 2008

Ministers are convinced that their misguided eco-towns policy and centralised targets are the solution. They must consider allowing local authorities to work out how best to address local needs.

Commenting on today's report by think tank Centre for Cities, which warns that the Government must do more to involve local people in planning new developments, Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Lembit Öpik said: "Today's report simply confirms what we all know - that the Government needs to empower local people to make planning decisions for themselves."

"Ministers are convinced that their misguided eco-towns policy and centralised targets are the solution. They must consider allowing local authorities to work out how best to address local needs."