The Government has announced plans to ensure the new national planning policy framework will be delivered by March next year, according to planning minister, Greg Clark.

The news comes as the issue is due to be debated in the House of Commons today (20 October) and the House of Lords in a week's time, as numerous campaign groups and professional bodies criticise the plans.

Mr Clark said he would listen to the issues highlighted in the debate, as well as taking into consideration the evidence presented during the consultation period, which closed this week.

To date, the National Trust has been one of the most vociferous opponents, and has already asked its 3.1 million members to sign a petition against the planning reforms. Mr Clark previously hit out at the National Trust's tactics – the trust used an image of urban sprawl in Los Angeles on its website to indicate what may happen in the UK – accusing it of ‘nihilistic selfishness'.

Other pressure groups, such as the Campaign for Better Transport and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, have claimed the reforms will lead to congestion, urban sprawl and the digging up of greenbelt land and the countryside.

Mr Clark said: ‘Our reforms are intended to simplify the system, strengthen local participation and to help achieve sustainable development.

‘The planning system has always enshrined the principle that the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development should be considered in a balanced way – and it will continue to do so.'