Dash for growth must not see local concerns trampled upon

We can understand his desire to get Britain building, and his frustration with the glacial pace at which the planning process seems to move.

The first phase of HS2, announced during the last days of Gordon Brown's administration, is still a decade away, with the northern leg having been abandoned. A third runway at Heathrow Airport was first suggested in 1946, but is nowhere near happening, despite 20 years of debate. Plans for a second runway at Birmingham Airport were abandoned almost seven years ago, and seem unlikely to to see the light of day anytime soon.

The Prime Minister, elected on a promise of delivering economic growth, can only look on in frustration as British planners weigh up the importance of bats and newts, while developers in emerging economies, such as China, just build with impunity.

But while the Prime Minister, along with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, may have a valid point that the planning system is in need of major reform, we would also urge caution.

Talk of bats and newts may sound absurd to politicians in Westminster anxious to deliver on their election pledges, but they are still hugely important to people who live in the communities affected. And people's ability to raise their objections is what separates democracies such as ours from countries under authoritarian rule.

Dismissing people concerned about the loss of green belt in their communities as 'Nimbys', or branding conservationists as 'blockers' will do little to allay their fears.

We understand that Sir Keir wants to get Britain building, and few people would argue with the fact that we need more homes. But given the Prime Minister's fondness for using metaphors in his speeches, we trust he will remember this one as he goes about his review of the planning system: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.