The Commons transport, local government and the regions committee will today slam the government's plans for a radical shake-up of the planning laws.

It will say that ministers have exaggerated the problems in the system and will dismiss moves to reduce the public's role in the planning process.

The committee also rejects the case for the creasing of business planning zones which will be excluded from many of the current rules.

Committee chairman Andrew Bennett is expected to say that the government's planning blueprint is "based on anecdote and prejudice".

The committee says the "business agenda" is too strongly represented in the government's proposals.

Sir Paul Beresford, a member of the committee, said the findings amount to "the most damning committee report " he had ever read.

Meanwhile, research from Anglia Polytechnic University suggests that 2.1million extra homes will be needed by 2021 if immigration continues at its present rate.