Local communities have shown "great enthusiasm" for neighbourhood plans, according to MP John Howell, planning minister Greg Clark's parliamentary private secretary.<br> <br> <br> Addressing delegates at the HBF’s planning conference Howell said: "Local communities understand the idea of neighbourhood plans and wish to grab the opportunity to shape their communities with both hands."<br> <br> <br> He added that the impact of neighbourhood plans would reach far beyond the planning system and there had been examples of this abroad: "Internationally, neighbourhood plans have encouraged wider citizen participation."<br> <br> <br> He added: "The New Homes Bonus is another opportunity and marks a move away from central diktat. It is another feature of international practice."<br> <br> <br> Howell also said that within the new planning system no contradiction would exist between development and environmental protection, provided development was approached "sensibly."<br> <br> <br> "The new planning system will be far away from being a green light to all development," he stated.<br> <br>