UK Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles unlawfully used his powers to abolish regional plans, the High Court has ruled this week.
In an embarassing blow to the government the High Court upheld a challenge by housebuilder CALA homes to the government saying they had no right to wipe out the whole tier of regional plans without going through the proper channels. The result is that the government will be required to introduce primary legislation to formally revoke the regional plans.
Peter Village QC said that Pickes had struck “at the heart of parliamentary democracy” ironically he said that this had undermined the value of public engagement.
Shadow communities secretary Caroline Flint told the BBC that the court ruling “raises embarrassing questions about the way Eric Pickles ripped up plans for desperately needed new homes“.
She added: “The coalition’s housing policies are doing little to meet the aspirations of the hundreds of thousands of families who want to live in a decent home.”
A letter has been issued to local authorities confirming that regional plans have been reinstated. This includes the reinstatement of regional renewable energy targets.
