Hitchin & Harpenden’s Member of Parliament, Bim Afolami, spoke to students at the University of Hertfordshire as part of a module on sustainable planning. Students were preparing for future careers in town planning and other related occupations and Mr Afolami was able to give some insight into how a Member of Parliament gets involved in planning applications, drawing on the example of the Luton Airport Expansion proposals on the edge of his constituency.
The MP discussed a range of constituent concerns about the proposed expansions and how he communicates these views with planning decision-makers and with other stakeholders, including the Airport themselves. Mr Afolami successfully secured a call in to Luton Airport’s planned expansion to 19 million passengers per annum earlier this year and he was able to give insight into how he worked behind the scenes to secure that, as well as how the process works.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“I always enjoy getting to speak to young people about politics and local issues. It was a great pleasure to address and take questions from students at the University of Hertfordshire about planning policy and the views of Hitchin & Harpenden residents on Luton Airport expansion. It is vitally important that we get a new generation of planners with a deep understanding of public opinion and the need for good planning to work with local people to alleviate their concerns.”
