Leech Fights to Close Overdevelopment Loophole

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 5th Jan 2007

John Leech MP campaigns to prevent over-development in South Manchester

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, is campaigning to close a loophole in the law which allows overdevelopment in areas such as South Manchester. At the moment planning permission is not required to convert garages into residential accommodation such as flats or houses. John Leech has tabled a parliamentary motion calling for legislation to give local councils the power to stop such developments, where they are inappropriate.

John Leech MP said:

"More and flats and houses are being squeezed into areas across South Manchester. We have seen much of the green space in gardens lost, and traffic and parking problems are often increased. The situation is made worse by current legislation, which allows yet more flats to be built, without the need for planning permission. The Government must act quickly to close this loophole in the law."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Early Day Motion 22 Planning Permission for Free Standing Garages

Leech, John

  That this House is concerned by the number of free-standing garages being converted into residential accommodation which does not require planning permission; notes that local authorities are powerless to stop such developments; and urges the Government to bring forward legislation to require free-standing garages to require planning permission and to remove permitted development rights on free-standing garages.