Haringey Liberal Democrats are fighting plans by Haringey’s ruling Labour councillors to hand over major planning powers to unelected council officers. The Lib Dems say the council could use the powers to push through more controversial ‘backlands’ developments in the borough without proper scrutiny.

The changes, which Labour councillors voted through at the Constitution Advisory Panel on 28 November, will mean that officers will be able to process applications for up to five houses and office space up to 500 square metres without them going to planning committee. This would remove a key opportunity for residents to have their say on the plans.

Under the new arrangements, councillors would have to call in planning applications which fall into this category, rather than them being automatically sent to the democratically elected committee. The proposals were opposed by Cllr Stephen Gilbert and Cllr Ross Laird.

Cllr Stephen Gilbert, Lib Dem whip and a member of the Constitution Advisory Panel, said:

“We already delegate well over 90% of our planning decisions. As we have seen with the number of backland developments coming forward, even an application for one house is often contentious. Labour has once again ditched democratic procedure in a bid to seek Government favour.

Lib Dem Leader Ross Laird adds:

“Local residents will rightly be furious to know that their Labour Councillors have effectively weakened their ability to oppose developments of up to five houses. The proposals must be resisted.”