A letter by Eleanor Laming was published in the Eastern Daily Press on Friday 27 June 2025. Text as follows;
Dear Sir
It seems that following the recent spending review the government is withdrawing funding support for neighbourhood plans from 2025 onwards. Neighbourhood plans, introduced via the Localism Act 2011, enable communities to influence planning decisions through development of policies and design codes which relate specifically to the local area. Many parish and town councils do not have the resources to fund the compilation of such plans without external financing. This decision will therefore have a big impact on those who are thinking of developing a plan for the first time, and those who are planning to update their existing plan. It could potentially reduce the input that local people have in shaping the development of their area and is a blow for local democracy. I hope this does not indicate the direction the government is planning to take.
Kind Regards
Eleanor Laming
Promoted by Jan Davis on behalf of Broadland Green Party, a constituent party of the Green Party of England & Wales PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ