Planning Policy

: My position on that is clear. Local authorities should not be judge and jury in their own application, because that is contrary to the rules of natural justice. Town centre regeneration is the most important issue that we have touched on this afternoon. We can do a number of things to improve the quality of life in town centres and prevent them from being damaged. First, they should have conservation area status, which would protect the teeth in the face of the beautiful woman, to whom the hon. Gentleman referred. Secondly, we have to consider street design and look at the relationship between planning, conservation and highways. In many cases, highway engineers do not bulldoze—although they do that all too frequently—but drive a metaphorical coach and horses through a conservation area by installing appalling street furniture. At the foot of Quay street in my constituency, in the middle of a conservation area and less than five minutes from where I live, there is a forest of horrid street signs.