Suffolk’s leading conservation body say the Government’s recently published Planning White Paper is potentially devastating for the countryside and local communities.
The Suffolk Preservation Society is now contacting all MPs in the county to raise concerns the new proposals put economic growth and prosperity before the protection of the environment.
If the Government pushes forward with the White Paper proposals the Society is threatening to disengage from further negotiations with Government on planning issues.
Richard Ward, director of the Society, said: “What is proposed in the White Paper, thanks largely to Kate Barker and Gordon Brown, is a planning system that has as its primary objective or purpose in the delivery of economic growth and prosperity. All, other issues are, by implication, of secondary importance.
“The ramifications, with all the other changes proposed and implemented since the 2004 Act, will be potential devastating for the countryside.
“The proper protection of the environment will be a secondary objective if the measures in the White Paper go through.”
The White Paper – Planning a Sustainable Future – sets out details for reform of the planning system, building on economist Kate Barker’s recommendations aimed at improving the speed, responsiveness and efficiency in land use planning.
One of its key elements is its proposals to reform the Town and Country Planning system, which the Government claims will make it more efficient and responsive.
The Society is particularly concerned at the envisaged role of Town and Parish Councils in the planning system, which it fears will be unrealistic and lead to decisions made without reference to local circumstances.
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Mr Ward said: “It appears town and parish councils are hardly mentioned and have no formal role.
“Last year we started a local campaign to have town and parish councils made statutory consultees in the planning system as the voice of the community, but this ideal seems to have been completely dismissed by the Government.
“Given the Government’s need and commitment to engage with communities these proposals are very surprising. In our view the proposed process in the White Paper is totally unrealistic and without reference to local circumstances. This could lead to decisions being made by people with little understanding of local needs and issues and I fear this could have a devastating effect on local communities.”
The Society is now hoping the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) will adopt its stance against the Government’s proposals and is hoping to influence other relevant organisations to oppose the new plans.
Many other high-profile groups have already criticised the new proposals. High Ellis, Friends of the Earth Coordinator, recently said: “The Government wants to force controversial developments such as airport expansions and road-widening schemes through the planning system by limiting local involvement.”
Mr Ward added: “Planning is a system for managing change in the environment by balancing conflicting interests and objectives for the benefit of all. This is a rather old fashioned definition, but one which I think is fundamentally what planning should deliver. It means that planners act as assessors or judges on proposals. They must be seen as impartial.
“If the changes proceed confidence in the system would be eroded and I don’t think it could survive with any credibility if it is not seen as impartial.
“We should not mince our words, some plain talking is needed urgently to stop these fundamental changes now. The Government must realise the seriousness of our concerns.”
Note to Editors:
A link to the White Paper can be found at www.communities.gov.uk
Suffolk Preservation Society, which is a branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, has a growing membership of more than 2,000 people. For more details visit www.suffolksociety.com
For more information contact Patrick Lowman at Geronimo Communications on 01284 768935 or at patrick.lowman@geronimocommunications.com