The government has been urged to promote Neighbourhood Plans as part of its planning reforms.

However, members of South Kesteven District Council fear that such community input into local planning matters could be 'watered down.'

The council's 'cabinet' yesterday raised concerns over the government's White Paper on planning policy, also deciding to set these out in a response to central government consultation on the issue.

The White Paper proposes to streamline and simplify policies to promote faster and more housebuilding.

Measures include an algorithm, which assess house prices and other factors, to help determine housing need and housebuilding targets.

This algorithm has attracted much opposition from nearby Rutland Council as central government targets would vastly increase housebuilding there, as it also would in South Kesteven, as Nub News recently reported.

Cabinet member for Housing and Planning, Coun Robert Reid, told the meeting that the government White Paper 'lacks detail' and he urged the district council to give more support to Neighbourhood Plans.

Council leader Kelham Cooke noted much community effort went into developing Neighbourhood Plans, which he said should be adhered to.

Coun Cooke cited the planning application for affordable homes on the Stamford East Meadows, which recently came before planning committee, with members determining to come up with arguments to oppose the development from Bourne-based Longhurst should it go to appeal.

He told the meeting: "I don't support that development. I read the report. I read letters from residents. The site should be preserved and the [planning] committee made the right decision. Anything to strengthen Neighbourhood Plans has my full support."

Fellow cabinet member Dr Peter Moseley agreed, saying removing them from the planning process would be 'a very poor step.'

Coun Moseley said: "Neighbourhood Plans are very important. They make our residents feel they have a say in the development and destiny of the communities they live in."

After council deputy leader Barry Dobson also backed Neighbourhood Plans, Independent councillor Phil Dilks agreed "local people know what's best for their area."

Returning to the Stamford East Meadows, Coun Dilks reminded what the council's own planning staff had told them, that once voted upon by residents, Neighbourhood Plans become stronger in determining planning applications than other considerations.

In the case of the meadows, that is due to be protected by Stamford's Neighbourhood Plan, but its introduction has been delayed by the pandemic, he added.

Concluding the debate, Coun Reid raised the prospect of government removing public consultation from draft Local Plans.

"I am passionate we do not agree to this. We need to use Local Plans as a toolkit."

The meeting agreed that Coun Reid and the chief executive Karen Bradford would submit a response to central government.

Rutland County Council agreed to do the same this week, also expressing its concerns.

Earlier this month, Grantham councillor Charmaine Morgan wrote to Nub News of her concerns over the White Paper.