centralization on Somerset Dailyhttps://somersetdaily.co.uk/tags/centralization/Recent content in centralization on Somerset DailyHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usWed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000‘Stalinist’ Planning Permission Reforms Draw Sharp Criticism from North Somerset Councillorshttps://somersetdaily.co.uk/stalinist-planning-permission-reforms-draw-sharp-criticism-from-north-somerset-councillors/Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000https://somersetdaily.co.uk/stalinist-planning-permission-reforms-draw-sharp-criticism-from-north-somerset-councillors/Councillors in North Somerset have fiercely condemned recent government reforms to planning permission procedures, labeling them as ‘Stalinist’ and a threat to local democracy. At a recent council meeting, North Somerset Council reluctantly voted to amend its constitution to comply with the new government mandates on planning permissions, despite already meeting most of the updated requirements. Voicing frustration across party lines, councillors expressed significant concerns and resolved to write to the government and local MPs to demand reconsideration of the changes.