Will 'Third Party RIghts' lose out in the Localism Bill?

Interesting (although not altogether surprising) to note the DCLG's refusal to confirm the inclusion of 'third party rights' in the forthcoming Localism Bill today.

Whilst empowering communities remains top of the coalition's agenda, the move signifies a recognition that the country's planning system must not grind to a complete halt at the hands of local residents groups and vehement objectors.

The door remains open for an inclusion of third party rights in some shape or form, although one would expect this to be significantly watered down if a 'rebalancing of the planning system' is to avoid the obvious danger of gross imbalance in the opposite direction.

The coalition's resolve to reform remains firm.

However, industry professionals will doubtless be thankful that a sense of reason is also starting to manage expectations as to how sweeping the Localism agenda can be.