<p>A lack of detail is a strong theme of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (LURB), according to Clive Betts MP, chair of the DLUHC Select Committee.</p> <p>Giving an overview of the Committee’s scrutiny of the LURB at the Home Builders Federation's Planning Conference, Betts said “a sense of a lack of detail keeps coming over and over again" with the Bill, currently passing through parliament. There was little information, for example, on the government’s proposed National Development Management Policies. </p> <p>On these he raised concerns; under the proposals these could override local plans. “That’s not helpful,” Betts commented. “If local plans are going to be key, putting in a clause to overwrite them doesn’t seem demonstrative.”</p> <p>The Committee was arguing for a draft Bill, he continued. “This would come to the Committee for scrutiny and produce proposals that are a lot better thought through and a lot better tested.” </p> <p>And if local plans were set to be central, “we need to increase public participation in their formulation. If we’re going to engage, it should be earlier in the process.”</p> <p>Also speaking at the conference, Joanna Averley, DLUHC’s chief planner, acknowledged the slow pace of planning reform. But she …