Shadow Planning Minister confirmed to speak at Civic Voice fringe event at Labour Party Conference

Embargo: Immediate release September 2014

Conference debate to ask “How can we give communities a greater say in the planning system?”

Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, the Shadow Minister for Planning has been confirmed as appearing at the Civic Voice fringe event during the Labour Party conference. The event, taking place in Manchester on Sunday 21st September, will discuss “How can we give communities a greater say through the planning system”

The event is being hosted by Civic Voice – the national charity for the civic society movement who represent over 75,000 individuals. The event will feature:

• Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, Shadow Planning Minister, Labour Party
• Charles Campion, Partner John Thompson and Partners
• Chair, Joan Humble, Civic Voice Trustee and Ex-Labour MP
• Justin Griggs, Head of Policy and Development, NALC
• John Walker, Deputy Chair of Civic Voice
• Other invited panellists

Freddie Gick, Chair of Civic Voice said “In attending the Party Conferences for the first time, Civic Voice will be pressing for radical changes to the processes by which local communities can contribute to local planning decisions. While Civic Society members across the country recognise the need for extra housing and have considerable experience to bring to bear, they are often faced with very limited opportunities to respond to consultations on unsustainable plans that are not right for their areas. We want to see a new approach in which local authorities are required to demonstrate that local planning decisions can be made only after it has been demonstrated that there has been active participation in the process by members of the local community. We look forward to an interesting debate on this and other issues.”

The meeting will take place at the Radisson Blue Hotel (outside secure zoone) and is from 2-4pm.

To attend this free event individuals are required to book via here. You will then receive full joining information.


NOTES FOR EDITORS

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. We work to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and to promote civic pride. We speak up for civic societies and local communities across England. We believe everyone should live somewhere they can be proud of and we know how people feel about places because we feel the same way. Civic societies are the most numerous participants in the planning system. Since its launch in April 2010 Civic Voice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members. Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk including how to join Civic Voice (£10 individuals) and contact details for local civic societies.
Further information
Ian Harvey .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
T0151 707 4319/ 07877096968
T @civic_voice