<p>Seventy eight percent of councillors think the government’s proposed reforms to the planning system will make planning less democratic, according to a report commissioned by BECG.</p><p><a href="https://becg.com/our-thinking/planning-whitepaper/">The Planning White Paper Councillor Survey</a><span>, compiled by Savanta ComRes, canvassed the views of 315 English councillors on the government’s proposals to reset planning. The results revealed that 61% of Conservative councillors felt the changes would make planning less democratic, said BECG, a communications consultancy for the built environment.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>And, opposite to the government’s reforms, 64% of councillors said that most of the consultation process should be undertaken when considering individual applications, not while devising local plans, the survey showed.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Meanwhile, 52% thought the green belt should be reviewed, with 65% believing more land should be added to it.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>With the digitisation of planning a key theme within the planning white paper, the survey revealed that 40% of councillors regarded virtual planning consultations as just as effective as face-to-face communication. But 56% preferred “more traditional means”.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>Andrew Howard, BECG’s managing director, said:</span><b> </b><span>“This report highlights the huge challenges facing the government’s planning reforms. There is significant scepticism amongst Conservative councillors, and the government will have to put in some serious spade work to persuade …