Cities should be planned to meet the needs of the people who live and work in them. We should aim for mixed communities where people can work, shop and use other local services, including schools, closer to home.

The planning process must be reformed to give greater democratic control and accountability. The public should be given the same power as developers to appeal against planning consents. Conditions attached to planning consents must be rigorously enforced.

Instead of bland high-rises, commercial, public and residential buildings should be designed or improved to be flexible, people friendly, longer lasting and energy efficient. Energy generation should be designed into all new large buildings. Locally sourced materials should be used where feasible.

What we have done so far:

• Contributed to the Sheffield Development Framework, the Council's plan for the city, and to the debate about the City Strategy.
• Campaigned against the ugly new high rise buildings in Heart of the City project, by writing letters to the press and holding public meetings.
• Objected to the proposed destruction of the heritage buildings and local businesses in the New Retail Quarter plans.
• Supported neighbourhood improvement plans and activities.
• Campaigned to keep local shops and schools.
• Supported constituents objecting to or wanting to modify individual planning applications.
• Pressed for fewer students in the plans for rebuilding the Endcliffe site of Sheffield University.

As Green City Councillors we will:

• Continue regenerating our neighbourhoods in an environmentally sound way that involves the public as much as possible.
• Restore democratic control to city development so that the many un-elected quangos have less influence.
• Promote step-by-step developments that encourage diversity and local enterprise.
• Oppose large redevelopment plans that destroy local businesses.
• Work to make the planning process more democratic and transparent.
• Campaign to make all buildings meet the green standards of the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method, as in London and Manchester.
• Push for all new street lighting and signage to be solar powered, and minimise light pollution.