Planning reforms must go after Lib Dem win

On Thursday, the voters of Chesham and Amersham elected Sarah Green with an 8,000 majority - a stunning reversal of the 22,000 majority the Conservatives held just four years ago.

One of the key issues during the campaign was the Government's planning reforms and the impact it will have on the Chilterns.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

"The message from the doorsteps of Buckinghamshire couldn't be clearer. People are fed up with being taken for granted by Johnson and his Government and demand to be listened to. That's why the Conservative's ill-thought through and undemocratic planning reforms must go.

"These reforms are nothing short of a developers' free-for-all. They would stop local communities from protecting cherished green spaces and do nothing for first-time buyers in areas like the Chilterns, who are desperate for a home of their own.

"The reforms would remove requirements on affordable homes, take power from local communities and hand it to wealthy property developers instead. That means more homes for the wealthy to maximise developer profits, and fewer homes people can actually afford.

"Liberal Democrats want a community-led approach to planning, not a developer-led approach. That is the only way we can deliver the homes people want and need.

"If Boris Johnson really wants to show he's learning from the incredible Liberal Democrat victory in Chesham and Amersham, he should start by dropping his undemocratic planning reforms."