The government plans to enable villages in England to build homes without seeking council planning permission.

via www.bbc.co.uk

Are they completely bonkers?! 

How on earth will local communities be expected to review the various planning policy statements (eg. PPS9 that deals with biodiversity) and make informed decisions on projects that may negatively impact protected species?

I'd like to see somebody attempt to apply for a gcn mitigation licence based on a project that had been put to public ballot!

I predict a rapid government turnaround on this one...