West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin will welcome national planning experts to a summit on neighbourhood planning next month. The MP will play host to her Westminster colleague John Howell who is an expert in planning strategy and has advised Government ministers in the creation of the Government’s planning policy overhaul. The summit, which will be held on September 6 at Malvern Hills District Council, will also hear from a councillor from South Oxfordshire District Council which last month adopted a neighbourhood plan for Thame. Local people vote on the locally created plan which sets out a strategy for housing development and growth. A planning expert from the National Housebuilders’ Federation will also talk to the group of local council officers, district councillors and parish representatives. Harriett commented: “With a Neighbourhood Plan, each parish can agree and designate where it wants to see development. Provided it is agreed in a local referendum, it becomes the blueprint for the local area. “I think there is more to do to create an organic plan that gives power back to local communities and allows lots of small, organic development and reduces the need for vast urban extensions. “I hope by bringing together the local planning representatives in a forum with some national experts, I hope we will be able to have a good constructive discussion on an important local issue.”