COTSWOLD MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has raised concerns bout the number of planning applications in the Cotswolds during Prime Ministers Questions.

In the absence of the Prime Minister who was in Israel, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg took the recent the weekly session in the House of Commons.

Mr Clifton-Brown said: “The Cotswolds is a very special place because of stewardship and planning, yet in the past year that has been threatened by thousands of applications for new houses.

"Localism seems to have gone out the window and the area of outstanding natural beauty is simply not being protected. What can my right hon. Friend do to help resolve that?”

In response, Mr Clegg said: “I know that my hon. Friend feels very strongly about this. There are strong planning protections in place for areas of outstanding natural beauty, which are some of this country’s most important treasures, as he rightly said.

"The national planning policy framework is clear that great weight should be given to conserving areas of outstanding natural beauty, which have the highest level of protection.

"He might be interested to know that we announced only last week that areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks will be excluded from new legislation allowing agricultural buildings to be converted into housing without the need for planning applications.”

Mr Clifton-Brown has often raised concerns about the planning system and formally objected to an application in Stow last year.

He has arranged a meeting with the Planning Minister, Nick Boles MP, and the leaders of Cotswold District Council on Wednesday, April 23.