This month the Government introduced measures requiring local councils to consult the Secretary of State for Housing before they can refuse any housing application for 150 homes or more. This gives central government the power to intervene, "call in," and ultimately decide major developments overriding local democracy, allowing central government to bypass the decisions of locally elected councillors.
Commenting on this change, Richard Fuller said:
Bedfordshire is already building at break‑neck speed, and now even more pressure is on the way.
For over 15 years, Bedfordshire has been adding new homes at more than two‑and‑a‑half times the national average. That rapid growth puts real strain on GPs, schools, roads and local services, which many residents feel are already stretched.
But this month brings a major change. Local councillors, the people elected by you and who know our towns and villages best, must now notify the Secretary of State whenever they are “minded to refuse” a housing development of 150+ homes, before they even vote on it.
That means decisions on large developments could face extra national pressure, even when councillors believe a proposal isn’t right for their community.
I’m genuinely concerned about how this new requirement may affect the independent voice of local councillors and their ability to protect the character of our villages and towns.
