A Harrow MP has repeated his call for the Government to rethink major planning reforms that he believes will “gag” local objectors.

Labour’s Gareth Thomas, who represents Harrow West, shared his party’s claim that the changes – described by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “radical reform unlike anything we have seen since the Second World War – will do more harm than good.

On Monday (June 21), a House of Commons debate instigated by Labour urged the Government to “protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications”.

It hoped to put pressure on Mr Johnson by convincing Conservative MPs to vote with the motion – however, just two Tory representatives, Anne Morris (Newton Abbot) and William Wragg (Hazel Grove) did so.

Labour has described the proposed changes as a ‘developers’ charter’, arguing it will make it easier for property firms to secure permission for potentially damaging schemes.

Mr Thomas said: “Under the developers’ charter, Mr Johnson’s wealthy developer chums will be set loose to bulldoze and concrete over local neighbourhoods at will.

“Local residents will be gagged from objecting even if an oversized development threatens to blight their own street.”

He previously suggested the way to improve planning across the country is to protect the building of “the right sort of homes, in the right standards, in the right places” and said this can only be achieved by collaboration between local authorities and communities.

The Government’s plans, which were outlined in last month’s Queen’s Speech, aim to streamline the national planning system by “cutting red tape”.

If approved, it means developments in designated growth areas would be given the green light provided they meet new local design standards.

It is part of a wider plan to speed up the process to encourage housebuilding, with developers and local authorities making use of a “clearer”, rules-based approach.

Despite the criticism, ministers have insisted communities will “set the agenda for their own areas” while councils will have the responsibility to “prioritise good design, establish strong local guidance and create a fast-track for approving beautiful buildings”.