Countryside campaigners have welcomed reports that the government is to abandon major elements of its proposed planning reform package.

The Times on Saturday reported that the two most controversial parts of the reform package – plans for mandatory local housing targets set by central government, and the introduction of a “zonal” system under which all land is classified for growth, renewal, or protection – are to be dropped.

The paper, without citing sources, said this meant the biggest shake-up of planning laws for 70 years is “set to be abandoned”, with a “a more limited set of changes” instead introduced.

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