Speculation is rife that the planning reform Bill has been delayed due to a split in the cabinet over its proposed establishment of a government-appointed infrastructure planning committee (IPC). The IPC would oversee major infrastructure projects – such as airports and nuclear power stations – and “fast-track them through the planning system.” According to political information service DeHavilland, there were fears within government of a “sizeable” labour rebellion against the proposal – critics have labelled it an attempt to bypass local democratic processes and “depoliticise the planning system.” <br><br>Reports suggest 63 MPs are against the proposals. Theresa May, shadow leader of the Commons, commented that concerns had been previously raised over the IPC and “the fact that this great big quango is going to be created which is going to make decisions on major infrastructure projects stifling the voice of local opposition.” Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps also claimed that local interests would not be properly represented: “Wouldn’t it be better, for example in the case of a nuclear power station, to make sure the local community is genuinely to get benefit from the investment that comes to an area by allowing people to actually get something out of that …