"When you take planning away from local people, it not only breeds distrust in the planning system but leads to a severe lack of protection of the countryside” according to Francis Maude MP. So the Government introduced the concept of Localism, in which Local Authorities work up Local Plans, taking account of the views of the people & which will then be used to judge whether or not Planning Applications should be permitted, or not. However, it then introduced the concept of Presumption in Favour of sustainable development, leaving our beautiful countryside at risk of speculative & inappropriate development, for the many districts where Plans have still to be completed & adopted. That risk could be avoided, or at least reduced, if Ministers were to instruct the Government’s Planning Inspectorate that “presumption in favour” is to be suspended for 12 months, thereby allowing Local & Neighbourhood plans to be completed. If they don’t do that, then the time and money spent on such plans could well be wasted & we will see many examples of inappropriate development across the country. Ministers should show that they are genuine in their support for Localism & the need to protect our beautiful countryside, by instructing their Planning Inspectorate accordingly. Let them show now that they really are listening. I urge anyone who shares these concerns to sign this petition and to make representations directly to their MP. This petition proposes a moratorium of at least one year, on the application of “presumption in favour”.