“Serious dangers” in changes to councils’ planning processes could lead to “long-term damage to communities and the environment”, charities and civil society groups have warned.

Four groups – Just Space, The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) London, Friends of the Earth and London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies – have called on councils and the Government to introduce measures to safeguard the public’s participation in the planning process.

Restrictions imposed by the Government to halt the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic mean the usual planning meetings – which members of the public can attend in person and where selected speakers can comment on applications before councillors vote on the proposals – cannot take place.

But thanks to recent legislation the planning process is continuing, with many meetings being held “virtually” – meaning people take part remotely using computer technology.

In a joint statement published on April 27, the four groups warned of “serious dangers in the way in which some councils are changing their decision-making processes, which could result in long-term damage to the interests of local communities and to the environment”.

A “rapid review” carried out by the organisations revealed virtual meetings are being carried out by councils “in very different ways”.

Some are re-assembling their planning committees online, while others will make key major planning decisions in closed meetings or increase delegation to unelected planning officers, the groups claim.

They say the “ad-hoc access” to the democratic process creates “an unfair ‘postcode lottery’ for local communities”.

Neil Sinden, director of CPRE London, said: “While the planning system has an important role to play in helping the local economy after the Covid-19 crisis, we must not undermine the democratic decision-making process.

“Local community and environmental groups often play a valuable part in informing and improving planning decisions, helping to secure development that is in the wider public interest.”

The six principles set out by the groups are:

  • No planning application normally decided by a committee should be decided using delegated or executive powers.
  • Virtual meetings should be reliably live streamed on video, with speaking rights for public objectors / third party representatives, as with normal committee meetings.
  • Councils should produce a report setting out how, under the Covid-19 regulations, they will follow best practice for the involvement of communities, particularly disadvantaged communities and those with less access to technology and broadband.
  • Councils should create, and promote widely, a designated website page giving full information on upcoming meetings and consultations, providing clear guidance to communities and third parties on how to take part.
  • Councils should look to extending deadlines attached to the determination of planning applications and responding to consultations.
  • Any public referenda or votes associated with estate regeneration should be put on hold until there is a reliable, democratic way to vote.

The organisations have also called on the Government to “temporarily relax or extend deadlines for the determination of planning applications to take the pressure off councils while they make the necessary changes to their systems, and to provide further guidance to them”.

A Barnet Council spokesman said: “As a planning authority we have no plans to change the use of committees as a means of determining applications. We are due to hold our first virtual planning committee later this month and these meetings will include the facility for representatives such as the applicant, or people objecting to, or supporting a scheme, to address the committee.

“To ensure everyone has the opportunity to have their say, we have increased the consultation period for major applications from 28 days to 42 days. Other aspects of the consultation process are operating as normal with hard copies of consultation letters being sent to people’s homes, site notices put on display and planning reports and information being published online.”

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “Details of public meetings – whether virtual or in person in the future – will be posted on our website as usual. The June planning committee will be taking place, most likely virtually and public speaking will be possible in the same way as in our usual virtual meetings.

“In terms of planning, it remains important to us that our communities are still able to have their say during this pandemic. Comments on planning applications will be accepted and considered as usual up to the date of decision. All applications that would usually be made by planning committee under our scheme of delegation in the constitution will still be made by our committee.”

Enfield Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were also approached for comment.