Last week the DCLG announced 40 new pilots –or what it terms as ‘front-runners' – to trial neighbourhood planning rights outlined in the Localism Bill. DCLG decentralisation minister Greg Clark explains why he believes the new planning system will be good for councils.

As readers of The MJ will know this country's planning system has grown increasingly acrimonious in recent years. Centralised decision-making has pitched developers against communities, councils against residents. Elected members, much like planning officers, have been caught in the crossfire,. hemmed in on the one side by regional strategies and top down housing targets, and, on the other, by local communities who feel put upon and alienated from the process.