WHAT has been the good news in planning in 2016?

More neighbourhood plans have been adopted. No light task, as going through the process of consulting, drawing up the plan, consulting again, having it examined and finally needing a clear majority at a referendum is no small undertaking. Many MPs have spoken in favour of neighbourhood plans, which have the force of law, and there is a good record of them being upheld at appeal.

The neighbourhood is where democracy begins, with people playing their part. This year has seen a huge increase in those who have exercised their vote.

There are areas where concerns are being voiced, and where the hope is this means something will be done.

CPRE started asking questions in 2015 about the perceived democratic deficit with so much being done in Wiltshire Council by the Cabinet of ten councillors. There are 98 councillors and in October this year there was a debate about democracy and accountability following motions brought by an independent councillor.

It allowed others among the 88 remaining councillors to voice their concerns about their lack of a role.

Returning to the committee system of government, as has happened in some councils, would give them a role and make them better able to represent their constituents. It could also avoid power being concentrated in the hands of a few.

There is welcome news too that more is being said about air quality. Globally there are places where people have to wear masks.

In England, there are traffic hot spots and busy airports where the burning of fossil fuel creates a health hazard. With cheaper petrol and diesel and an increasing population, traffic has built up and emissions are a major problem.

It may be some time before clean energy in the form of solar power and electric cars makes a difference and air travel may continue to be dependent on fossil fuels.

However, there is hope that Government policies and funding, instead of concentrating on roads and trying to cure bottle-necks only to create others, will show more clearly that the way out of congestion is a better use of roads with more buses, including rural bus services, cycling and walking and more journeys by train; not only inter-city but local stops as well.

There are still the climate change sceptics and those whose interests seem to be only in the all-important economy. But planning is about an economy that does not harm the environment and about social and environment issues as well as economic ones. Perhaps there are more people who question having an economy that is good for the few but which results in an unhealthy planet?

Another bit of better news is the beginnings of a government move to build on brownfield sites. This was achieved previously and there were major debates in Parliament in the 1980s about the morally indefensible building on the green outskirts of towns while leaving the centres to rot. Now the need is for affordable houses within walking distance of schools, jobs and shops. CPRE has long been championing the need for affordable houses, pointing out that not enough are being built in the villages and the towns. A survey conducted by CPRE has found that there are 1.1million houses currently waiting to be built on brownfield sites.

A recent Dispatches programme highlighted the monopoly of the big five house-builders and the contrast between the large number of permissions granted and the small number of houses being built. Perhaps soon it will become easier for small builders and those who want to build their own houses to find land to build on.

All in all there is some positive news to celebrate and to build on as we approach the end of the year and the message for everyone is peace, good cheer and the wonder of Christmas.