The coalition has shown a determination to act swiftly where possible since its formation on May 11. New communities secretary Eric Pickles suspended home information packs within two weeks of the new administration taking over, and its new programme – Freedom Fairness Responsibility – reveals an intention for the coalition to act quickly in some areas. The Queen’s Speech on May 25 confirmed the introduction of a Decentralism and localism Bill which will give councils more powers over housing and planning decisions and will apply to England and Wales. This reinforces the coalition’s intentions set out in its new programme and which confirmed many of the policies put forward by the Conservative party in the run up to the election including: <br> Rapidly abolishing regional spatial strategies New powers to stop “garden grabbing” Radical reform of the planning system “in the longer term” Radical devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government and community group Abolition of the Infrastructure Planning Commission Publishing a “simple and consolidated” national planning framework covering all forms of development Maintenance of the green belt and sites of special scientific interest and the creation of a new designation to protect green areas of particular …