Appeals on planning decisions should be made locally rather than by a government agency based 100 miles away, Sutton Council has said.
Councillors passed a motion at this month’s full council meeting, demanding that planning appeals should be heard by a local appeals board based in Sutton and made up of local residents.
The proposal would mean Sutton becoming a pilot to try out the new system and would receive funding from Government to set up and run the panel.
Under the Sustainable Communities Act councils and residents can ask the Government for specific action on economic, social or environmental matters in their area.
Coun Ruth Dombey said: "The Act has the potential to give back more decision making to local people, but the Government needs to show its commitment to making it happen.
“We know that residents often feel that decisions made over 100 miles away are imposed on them by people who do not understand the local area.
“Planning decisions affect the area and the street where you live and Sutton residents should have more say over what is being built and where.”
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