Concerns that lockdown reforms to the planning system are allowing local authorities to trample over public rights to be involved in planning decisions have been raised by a consortium of heritage and environmental campaigners.

A joint statement signed by countryside charity CPRE, environmental group Friends of the Earth and civic society bodies the London Forum and Just Space, has called for councils to stop “abusing” the planning process. In particular, they are concerned about the practice of unelected officers taking key planning decisions, and want to preserve the right of objectors to speak in “virtual” planning committees.

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