The Local Government Association has said the urgent need to get the country building again justifies the Government's plan to get rid of most planning guidance, as exemplified in the Draft National Planning Policy Framework, but it warns it will need to balance new build with the infrastructure needed to support it.
The Association said it would shortly be putting forward its own proposals on implementing the Framework in a way which would give councils a realisted time to get their local plans finalized and approved.
Many have long out-of-date plans and the Government proposes a default "yes" to development in these areas.
"We urgently need to get Britain building again," said LGA Environment Board chairman David Parsons.
"In doing so we must ensure that both residents and people in need of housing have a powerful voice to express the type of development they would like to see. It is vital that the removal of red tape being proposed does not have the unintended consequence of undermining the power of local communities. The Planning Framework should ensure that new housing and commercial buildings match the economic, environmental and social needs of a particular area. We need to see a balance struck between encouraging new building, and ensuring that large-scale new development comes with the infrastructure necessary to support it."
But the Conservative-controlled Association was plainly unsettled by the fierce National Trust attack on the Draft and issued a statement in response which only served to show the Framework's small ambition to protect undeveloped land.
"Local authorities always strive to protect the areas of natural beauty and green belt treasured by so many and we do not believe anything in the Government's draft planning policy framework will prevent them from doing so in future," said Cllr Parsons.
"Local plans in every area of the country, drawn up in consultation with communities, will clearly set out which land is suitable for development, and what is appropriate to be built there. There should be no scope for unwanted surprises."
Green belt and area of outstanding natural beauty designation only covers a minority of the countryside, leaving most of the rest up for grabs.
