SOMERSET and Bridgwater Town Councillor Leigh Redman has welcomed an overhaul of planning policy announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner in Parliament.

Councillor Leigh Redman, leader of Somerset Council’s Labour group said: “This Labour Government was elected on a commitment to get Britain building.

“That’s how we’ll grow our economy, fix and fund our public services, and deliver on the priorities for people all across Somerset.

"Here in Somerset it will mean delivering infrastructure and public services alongside new homes to unlock economic opportunities.

"I am pleased that this Labour government isn’t afraid of making hard decisions in the national interest to power growth in every part of the country.

“The new Labour government was elected on a mandate to build the homes Britain needs and take the tough choices to unblock the planning system and make it a reality.

"When it comes to housebuilding, we will no longer be asking 'if' but 'how'.

“Let it never be forgotten that it was the last government’s haphazard approach to building on the green belt that has seen so many of the wrong homes built in the wrong places, without the local services people need.

“To be clear, this government is committed to preserving the green belt, but we need to move away from this broken system.

“That’s why I am pleased that this government is committed to taking a more strategic approach, prioritising poor-quality grey-belt land for building and introducing 'golden rules' to ensure those developments ensure affordable homes, public services and green spaces.”