All the glossy brochures in the world do not compensate for proper democracy for local people. There appears to be some kind of rush to get the Planning White Paper through which is worrying in itself. The right words are often used such as sustainability and climate change, protection of nature etc without the ‘HOW’. The people elect Governments – please listen to them.

Poor planning has harmed communities, reduced valuable green space and created car-dependent suburbs. We can and must do better.

This is sadly a common struggle around Europe, and we should all be worried about it, especially now.

I am concerned that the environment will be pushed to the background as priority is given to commercial and housing applications. I am also concerned that social housing, affordable housing will not be prioritised. •I would like local people to make decisions. •I would like planning decisions that turned down development that encroached on Green Belt land. • I would like local councils to be able to agree plans for improvement of housing stock in cities, towns, and villages on brownfield sites. These plans should be out and out providing housing that is affordable and necessary, not developments for those who already have means.