Planning Bill

Not at this stage. If my hon. Friend wants to serve on the Committee, we will consider that. I say to the hon. Member for North Cornwall that class orders are about land use and not well suited for local social issues. My hon. Friend the Member for City of Durham and a number of hon. Members talked about the Bill's environmental importance. To be clear—this is in response to the consultation—the Bill proposes a duty on the Government to ensure that national policy statements contribute to sustainable development. There will have to be an appraisal of the sustainability of the policy in each statement, and in respect of town and country planning there will be a new duty to ensure that councils put the fight against climate change at the heart of local plans. That is why the Sustainable Development Commission said today:"““The SDC is encouraged by the government's recognition of the central role of sustainable development in the Planning Reform Bill, as shown by the requirement for the Secretary of ""State to develop National Policy Statements 'with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development'.””" That is a significant body and a significant view, and endorsement for our approach. I say to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford that the Bill does not affect the tests that will be used for town centres. He sees potential problems of conflict of interest where none in reality exists. He and the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East asked why flood defences are not included. May I make this point clear, particularly as I am Minister responsible for floods recovery? Some flood defences will be included—for instance, dams and barrages that generate electricity or ensure adequate drinking water—but the impact and issues around sea walls remain primarily of interest to the region and the surrounding local area. Local and regional authorities remain the best decision makers. My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) is concerned about cockle beds and cocklers, and wants to know whether water companies will be statutory consultees. The answer is yes. The Bill will remove unnecessary sources of delay that have plagued major infrastructure projects in the past, a lack of clear Government policy, multiple overlapping consent regimes, inadequately prepared applications and complex multi-stage processes. It will reform the planning system to make Britain better able to cope with the 21st century. It will speed up decisions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Therefore, I urge Conservative Members not to press the amendment. Question put, That the amendment be made:— The House divided: Ayes 215, Noes 281.