DAVID Cameron called for more development to allow the economy to grow.
Speaking at the end of the Conservative Party conference yesterday, the Prime Minister said the planning system had left companies which wanted to expand “stuck in the mud”.
He told delegates in Manchester: “Our businesses need the space to grow. That’s one of the reasons we are reforming our planning system.
“I love our countryside and there’s nothing I would do to put it at risk. But let’s get the balance right.”
Businesses desperate to expand and hire thousands of people were “stuck in the mud of the planning system”.
Mr Cameron told anyone who opposed the reforms to “take your arguments down to the job centre”.
But Golcar man Dr David Hill – who is campaigning against Kirklees Council’s plan to allow 28,000 new homes in the district – disagreed.
He said yesterday: “Building on green belt land is utter nonsense in my mind.
“Having a presumption in favour of development will mean the landowners will get richer and the developers will buy up land and wait for better times before developing.
“We’ve got to start thinking about this long-term and developing new industries.”
Mr Cameron also used his keynote speech yesterday to announce that more tenants would be allowed to buy their council homes.
He said the right to buy council houses would be brought back, with the money used to build more homes.
“Now let us, in this generation, inspire a new Tory housing revolution,” he said.
Also in Mr Cameron’s speech he:
Promised he would “never” take Britain into the euro.
Announced the end of “rigid, outdated employment regulations”.
Backed high-speed rail and super-fast broadband.
Announced changes in adoption rules to make it easier to place children with potential parents.
Supported the legalisation of gay marriage.
Announced a reduction in Criminal Records Bureau checks and other health and safety regulations.
Mr Cameron also attacked the former Labour government for setting up “a casino economy and the welfare society”.
However, the Conservative leader also sounded a positive note for the future.
“I know we can turn this ship around,” he said.
He said the UK was: “a small country that does great things – one of the most incredible success stories in the history of the world.”
Conservative Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney enjoyed the upbeat tone of the speech.
“I liked the optimistic outlook,” he said.
“I’m regularly saying to people that instead of moaning we need to get out there and make it happen.
“There are great things happening at David Brown’s, Camira Fabrics and Huddersfield University.
“There are better days ahead.”
