Ministers are refusing to meet an MP to discuss planning sanctions placed on two Worcestershire councils.
Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, has written to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and requested an urgent meeting with housing minister Matthew Pennycook.
The Government has written to both Malvern Hills and Wychavon district councils informing them that certain major planning applications will now be decided by the Planning Inspectorate, bypassing the councils entirely.
The sanctions came after 10.7 percent of major planning applications refused by Wychavon and 12 percent of major schemes turned down by Malvern Hills were later allowed on appeal between 2023 and 2025 – slightly above the Government’s accepted limit of ten percent.
COUNCILLOR: Emma Kearsey said the Government’s decision to sanction Wychavon was “outrageous” (Image: Wychavon District Council)
Both councils have vowed to fight the sanctions and get them overturned.
Dame Harriett said: “I was appalled at the initial decision which came out of the blue and I am told is based on outdated and inaccurate information.
“This is a Government in stasis as it changes Prime Minister, but I am shocked that it has taken a month to reply refusing a meeting to discuss this vital issue.
“Usually ministers have the courtesy to take meetings with MPs whose areas are affected by their decisions.”
DECISIONS: Housing minister Matthew Pennycook (Image: UK Parliament/PA Wire)
Dame Harriett said: “I have always felt that the best planning decisions are made by local people and their local representatives and I am extremely concerned that the Labour administration will use this as an opportunity to impose major housing developments on us and our lovely rural area.
Government drops ‘new town’ plans for Worcestershire Parkway
MP slams housing policy ‘shambles’ after Wychavon Town dropped from government plans
Major Worcestershire council shake-up confirmed – here’s what was approved
“I am beginning to think I am in a less democratic country than local people deserve.”
After the sanctions on Wychavon were announced Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s executive board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said: “How dare they! This is an outrageous decision by a government that thinks it can simply dictate to local communities in complete defiance of the evidence and common sense.
“We have no problem with accountability. We do have an issue with a decision based on historic data that ignores the reality of the planning service we have today.”
