Shrewsbury MP says planning law needs to change after North West Relief Road delays
An MP has said the drawn-out process of delivering a relief road around Shrewsbury has convinced him that planning law in the UK needs to change.
Daniel Kawczynski says examples such as the controversial North West Relief Road planned for the outskirts of Shrewsbury, which after four years has not been granted planning permission, shows the current planning system is "not fit for purpose".
The Shrewsbury & Atcham MP had earlier this week criticised Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency over delays to the North West Relief Road project.
One of the causes for the delay was the Environment Agency requesting further clarification from Shropshire Council on the effects on the environment due to the new road, which will provide a single carriageway linking the northern and western parts of Shrewsbury.
Mr Kawczynski says he is determined to raise a debate in Parliament about the current planning system in a bid to see if it can be "streamlined" .
He said: "There are real problems with a system if it takes four years after businesses in Shrewsbury, and many other organisations who have been talking about a North West Relief Road for 50 years, instructed an MP to secure money for the project.
