COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A fresh Coalition assault on “ludicrous” planning laws will make it harder for residents to object to new developments and encourage councils to allow building on greenbelt land, the Chancellor has said.

David Cameron and George Osborne insisted that more changes in planning rules were urgently needed as part of a package of reforms to restart growth in Britain’s stagnant economy.

Rural campaigners warned that the latest proposals – which come only months after a widespread overhaul of planning laws – contradict government promises to protect the countryside.

Legislation expected next month will propose new curbs on residents’ ability to protest against new developments, giving them less time to appeal and ensuring fewer cases face legal challenges.

Rules allowing councils to authorise building on the green belt by redesignating other land will also be streamlined to encourage more building in areas given legal protection from development.