Andrew Dakers, Leader of Hounslow Liberal Democrats, has labelled the Government's plans to back the Labour Mayor of London’s grab of more powers over local planning decisions a snub to local democracy.

With just 60 days until the end of government consultations he has urged Hounslow residents to write to DCLG raising their objections to policy proposals that will further reduce the power of local communities to shape their own futures.

Cllr Dakers, said "It is a fundamental principle that important planning decisions should be taken by the authority nearest to the people that are most affected, and that is the council.

"We have already seen the Mayor's disregard for the views of Hounslow residents when he supported developers’ proposals for intensive and unsustainable construction at Commerce Rd in Brentford. It is deeply worrying to think that he will now been handed even more powers to impose inappropriate developments against local wishes."

Hounslow Council recently warned that new powers granted to Ken Livingstone would be bad news for local people. Under a package of reforms announced by the Government, the London Mayor is to be handed a host of new roles by the Government, including the power to overrule local planning decisions.

Under the new plans, the Mayor will be able to direct changes to Hounslow’s local development plans, as well as taking a personal decision on planning applications of strategic importance. In practice, the Mayor’s new powers could be used to push through major developments in the borough against the wishes of the Council and local residents.

Livingstone is known to support the development of high density residential buildings as a way of meeting the capital’s housing needs. He has previously given his backing to a number of controversial proposals that could change the face of the borough.  In recent years, the Council has successfully opposed plans supported by Livingstone such as a proposed 28-storey block at Gunnersbury Station and a controversial residential development on a site by Kew Bridge.

Under his new powers, the Mayor could give the green light to developments like these against the wishes of local people.