March 5th, 2026.



Green party councillors have spoken of their anger at the government’s proposed changes to the planning system, which they say would worsen an ‘already broken’ system and give local communities and councillors even less control over planning decisions.

A series of speeches at Lewes District Council’s meeting this week blasted the proposed changes, which councillors say are opposed by many local and national charities including CPRE (The Countryside Charity), the Town and Country Planning Association, Community Planning Alliance and wildlife charities. They are calling on people and organisations to respond to the government consultation which closes on the 10th of March.

Councillor Johnny Denis, (pictured), said: “As local hard working councillors we have had enough of working within a system where councillors take the blame for decisions they have little real control over. This system is at breaking point. Councillors and Councils cannot continue to be held accountable for decisions we no longer have the power to make. Yet these proposals would make things even worse.”

Councillor Sue Morris added: “The government is trying to put a positive spin, talking about a move to a rules-based system. But what they mean is their rules, a set of national rules that will concrete over the countryside, and drastically reduce the ability of local authorities to shape places people are proud to live in. Local plans will be ‘ocal in name only.”

Councillor Charlotte Keenan said: “The latest proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework currently out for consultation, risk becoming the final nail in the coffin for already weakened local planning and will tie our hands to address nature and climate issues, from flooding to food security.”

The councillors say that the National Planning Policy Framework consultation is very technical, but residents who want to respond can do so via one of the many charities and campaigning organisations who are opposing the changes such as CPRE or the Community Planning Alliance.


Visit the The CPRE NPPF Consultation Response Page HERE.