New homes: Local people to be given a say

The Conservatives have unveiled plans to give local people a greater role in determining where new homes are built.

In the latest of its pre-election announcements, the Opposition also signalled a renewed determination to protect the green belt.

The Tories want to regeneration policies to concentrate development on derelict sites and brownfields. Under the party's policy, local people will be given a greater say in deciding where development should go ahead.

John Hayes, shadow housing minister, said the deputy prime minister had squandered the opportunity to reform housing in England and Wales.

"On Mr Prescott’s watch, homelessness has reached record highs and more people than ever are priced out of the housing market," said Hayes.

"The deputy prime minister’s ‘solution’ is to sacrifice our green fields, leaving a concrete scar across the face of rural England. If he has his way, 26 towns the size of Slough will blight our precious countryside."

He went on to commit his party to a raft of policies to protect green spaces to allow local communities.

"Our proposals will also give local people, not unelected regional quangos, a greater say on development," he said.

"This, combined with measures to streamline planning processes for regeneration in our towns and cities and releasing more brownfield land for housing, will ensure that the right homes are built in the right places."