The Government avoided potential defeat over the Planning Bill last night by moving fresh amendments to allow ministerial intervention in the Infrastructure Planning Commission’s decisions.

Fifty-three Labour MPs – including former local transport minister, Karen Buck – backed a motion expressing ‘serious concern’ over the proposal to put major infrastructure projects ‘entirely in the hands’ of the unelected body.

Facing a bigger rebellion than over the proposal to detain terrorist suspects for 42 days without trial, communities secretary, Hazel Blears, moved new amendments to restore the ministerial role if use of the commission proved problematic.

These will allow the secretary of state to issue a direction that she could examine a planning application instead.

In the end 17 Labour MPs rebelled.

This followed widespread opposition to the proposal, designed to streamline planning decisions. Cllr Daniel Moylan, chair of London Councils’ transport and environment committee, said: ‘That a group of shadowy, unelected bureaucrats should decide on the most controversial projects is ghastly.’

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