Planning Reform Danger
The Planning Reform Bill focuses strongly on economic development, with little regard for the environmental consequences. One of its worrying proposals is a an Infra-structure Planning Commission, an unelected body.
Friends of the Earth map of existing and proposed incinerators in the UK.
CPRE recognises that there need to be changes to the planning regime to speed up the decision-making process, especially with major new projects. There are some good proposals in the Government’s two Planning and Housing Bills, but other aspects are cause for serious concern. One of the biggest innovations is the proposal for an Infra-structure Planning Commission, an unelected body, to consider major schemes such as new roads, incinerators and airport runways.
The Planning Reform Bill focuses strongly on economic development, with little regard for the environmental consequences. Without the right safeguards, valuable landscapes and wildlife habitats could disappear. The Bill also threatens to undermine local democracy as those most affected by a major project will have limited opportunities for involvement. There is no guarantee that local people will be able to challenge major infra-structure projects at public inquiries. The proposed legislation also reduces the scope for effective and transparent scrutiny of proposals.
The Housing and Regeneration Bill contains some useful measures to improve the quality and supply of social housing, but its proposal to establish yet another unelected quango called the Homes and Communities Agency is alarming, especially in view of its wide-ranging powers to push through housing schemes. In areas designated by the Government, the new Agency will take over the functions of local authorities, as well as being both landowner and developer.
CPRE Surrey has written to the Government setting out these and other concerns about the legislation. We have also written to all Surrey MPs, five of whom are Shadow Cabinet Ministers, and have received generally positive responses. The Government, however, seems determined to press ahead with the legislation despite growing opposition. Surrey Voice readers may wish to consider writing to their MP on this topic.
More information is available on CPRE's national website, www.cpre.org.uk
