The Government's planning reforms may prevent local authorities from delivering developments that reflect local concerns, according to a new report.

The report, published by the LGiU and National Trust, warns the Government is heading towards the centralisation of the planning system with the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Two-thirds of senior local government officials said they disagree that Neighbourhood Planning will have a positive impact on their authority's to deliver development that reflects local priorities.

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGiU, said: ‘Our research highlights that there is real concern within local government about the NPPF's ability to create opportunities to involve local communities in setting the planning agenda in their local area. This falls short of the government's own localist ambitions.

'Local planning is at the heart of local democracy. Of course, we need development, but not at any cost.  Local area plans provide a way of working through these tensions but it is not easy.

‘It's vital that we don't put bureaucratic process ahead of the need for a real democratically founded local planning system. Local area plans that balance the need for growth with the views of the communities are worth waiting for.'