Planning Bill

I am not giving way at this stage. My hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Truswell) has certainly been closely involved in supporting local communities over local applications, and I hope that what I have just said will help him to some extent. It is true that people sometimes lack confidence, but they should not lack opportunity—the Bill will ensure that they do not—and they should not lack support. Our increased support for planning aid will help to ensure that they do not. The hon. Member for Poole seemed to welcome national planning policy statements and the community infrastructure levy, which he recognised would be more transparent and simpler. My hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Dr. Turner) spoke very strongly on renewable energy; he has a long track record on such matters. He will recognise this afternoon's important announcement by the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on offshore wind power. He will also recognise the need for a planning system and reform of it, as he did in his speech, in order to secure the big boost to offshore renewable wind energy that this country is uniquely placed to deliver. The hon. Member for Caernarfon (Hywel Williams) wanted to know what assurance I could give that the Bill would not curtail or limit the Welsh Assembly's planning powers. Let me tell him that we have no intention of undoing the devolution settlement; we will ensure that the Bill does not change the Welsh Assembly's planning powers in any way.