Have your say on the Government's new proposed planning system, Congleton MP Fiona Bruce urges.

"Our constituency has seen a lot of development in recent years, so it is vital that as many people as possible make their views known" she said.

Fiona Bruce met recently with Minster for Housing, Chris Pincher MP, in the House of Commons to relay residents' concerns about proposed changes and in particular that our greenfield areas remain protected.

She also conveyed how important it is that local peoples' views continue to be clearly heard throughout the planning process, including through

Neighbourhood Plans.

The Government's proposals 'Planning for the Future' cover a package of changes on plan-making development, management of development contributions, and other reforms.

The Government is seeking views on these through a consultation which can be found here.

The Government is stating that these reforms should help to streamline the planning process, improve outcomes and development sustainability, and the consultation is open to everyone.

Proposals include that land be divided into three categories.

'Growth' areas are those that are deemed to be suitable for substantial development, and outline approval for development would be automatically secured if it fulfilled pre-specified conditions.

'Renewal' will be considered suitable for some development and would have statutory presumption in favour of development being granted if they fulfilled the terms required.

The third category of 'Protected' areas would have more stringent development controls to ensure sustainability.

Mrs Bruce added: "It is important that the Government hears from people in the Congleton constituency.

"I encourage people to respond to ensure that we maintain the protection for our precious greenfield areas which our current Local Plan provides for – particularly since this was so hard fought for over so many years when the planning system did not provide adequate protection.

"It is vital to prevent the further overloading of our local services – schools, roads, medical facilities – and to ensure that whatever changes are applied here, the hard work undertaken by so many local people preparing Neighbourhood Plans is preserved.

"It is also vital that elected councillors are able to scrutinise individual planning applications, as now, and that community engagement remains strong at the next Local Plan making stage.

"Protection from development must remain for specific areas such as those of important biodiversity, and the area around Jodrell Bank Telescope which I, councillors and residents fought so hard to obtain."

The Government consultation closes at 11.45pm on October 29. Comments can be made online, emailed, or sent to the Planning of the Future Consultation in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government at 3rd Floor, Fry Building, 2 Marsham Street, London

SW1P 4DF.