Marisa met Secretary of State, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, today where they discussed a wide range of issues facing residents and communities in Surrey. A key focus was around how to balance protecting the Green Belt and green space whilst providing accessible housing for young people and families looking to buy their first home. The Government is reviewing the planning framework and will be introducing some really positive measures on this shortly that could help focus where housing can best be provided and include engagement with local communities to get it right. They also discuss access to funding and tools which could be utilised to get around the fact that most people do not have the necessary deposits for a home.
Marisa and Michael also discuss planning enforcement. This has been an issue that has arisen a lot for Marisa both as former deputy leader at Runnymede but also a former planning chair when some people have breached planning law and it has really impacted other people and the environment. Michael outlined some proposals coming forward from Government on tightening up enforcement that should result in a vast improvement to how it is done.
