Michael Gove has said proposals in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill to make national planning policies override local plans are a “necessary safeguard” to ensure important national policies are reflected fully in planning decisions.

The housing secretary made the comments in a letter to the chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee, Clive Betts, responding to his request to address concerns the government’s proposal “radically centralises” the operation of the planning system.

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